How Can I Help My Child at Home?

While working in the field of educating children, parents often ask me, "How can I help my child at home?" Although, I have different answers for different situations. For example, I may suggest to the parent of a kindergartner, to point out letters and numbers on signs as they are driving through town (environmental print).
For a third grader just starting to learn fractions, I might suggest letting their child help out in the kitchen using measuring cups and spoons.
For all students, however, I will always recommend reading to your child, encouraging your child to read, and making sure your child sees you reading. I truly believe these are the most important things anyone can do at home for children of all ages. Reading fosters sequential thinking (beginning, middle, and end), problem solving (problem and solution), increased vocabulary, and comprehension.
Reading at home helps children do better at school in reading based activities such as reading fluency, story comprehension, and retell fluency. Reading is the precursor to all language arts based activies including writing, spelling, and grammar. Surprise! Reading also is important in math!
Think about: 1. reading directions 2. reading word problems (story problems) 3. being able to explain their thinking in words. As you can seed, reading is the number one, most important thing that kids can do at home to help them in school! Photo Credits: Photo by August de Richelieu: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-helping-her-daughter-use-a-laptop-4260325/ Photo by Pepe Caspers: https://www.pexels.com/photo/buildings-under-cloudy-sky-2928063/ Photo by RODNAE Productions: https://www.pexels.com/photo/top-view-of-a-mom-baking-with-her-kids-in-a-kitchen-5593615/ Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/parents-reading-a-book-to-their-children-6668284/ Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/composition-creativity-desk-education-207756/

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