Grades Grow Tutors

Learning starts well before students enter school, as any parent already knows. However, even though most parents take the time to provide homework help to the older children and help toddlers learn their letters, numbers and other things, it’s also important that they help the smallest children get comfortable with the idea reading a book. If you take the time to read to your child, there are many different books out there that can be enjoyable and fun for your little one. Here are a few examples.

“What’s Wrong, Little Pookie?” by Sandra Boynton
This book is a “board book” that is durable and suitable for all ages, including babies. It’s actually a great book for babies, because it can withstand being chewed on, tossed around, and other things. Plus, it has a very cute story about a sad little piggy that is easy for young kids to remember and participate in as they learn the story through multiple readings. The art and story are both great, so this is a good book to read to your baby to get them used to the idea of sitting with you and reading a book together.

“Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw
This is a very popular book that tells a heartwarming story that may even choke you up a bit at the end! The illustrations are vibrant and will hold any child’s attention, and the story itself is one of a parent’s never-ending love for their child, so it’s easily relatable for any parent. This book has parts that will be easy to remember for most toddlers so that after a few readings, they can “read” along from memory, enhancing their experience.

“The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper, George Hauman and Doris Hauman
You’ve almost certainly heard of this classic story of determination to overcome obstacles. This great book has bold, colorful illustrations to go along with a story that will resonate with younger kids and older ones alike. The book isn’t one that is difficult to read for beginning readers, and it’s also an appropriate story for those that are still a little young to read, but who like to be read to. Every parent should have this book!

“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
This is yet another classic children’s book and is a personal favorite of mine as well. A winner of the Caldecott Medal, “Where the Wild Things Are” is a book that is adventurous and explores the power of imagination. This theme is great for all young readers, and the illustrations are nothing short of top notch, with a distinctive yet accessible style all their own.

Even if your youngster is too little to understand your words, or read on their own, it’s a great idea to read to them so they get accustomed to the idea of books. This will set them on a path that will spur them on through early reading all the way to English classes in high school and college. Show your kids early on that reading can be fun!

As parents, we constantly worry about our kids. We worry we’re not doing enough for them. We worry we’re being too harsh on them all the time. We worry we’re being too soft with them all the time. We worry about how to find a balance. We sometimes also worry that we don’t worry enough. Here’s a helpful list on top 10 ways on how not to worry about not being involved in your child’s life (in other words, How to Be an Involved Parent.)

Before we get started with the 10 ultimate ways parents can get involved in their child’s education, let’s recap the blog entries for the last week! We discussed how to avoid frustration when studying, we covered finishing the school year on a positive note, and talked about why tutors love their jobs. We also talked about ways to improve performance in English class, reasons that school libraries are essential for academic success, and how to continue learning during the summer months. Now, let’s get to some ways that parents can be a part of the school experiences of their children.

10. Volunteer at the School!
One often overlooked way for parents to stay “in the know” is to get involved at their child’s school. Joining the PTA, chaperoning trips and events, or volunteering to help run extracurricular programs are some easy and effective ways to do so. Not only that, but you will have fun and maybe make some new friends in the process!

9. Always Ask Questions
Let’s face it, most kids aren’t just going to come right out and tell you everything that’s going on at school. This may seem obvious, but it’s very important for parents to show interest by asking questions about how things are going at school. Your child may need homework help or have other things to inform you about, but they may forget or not be sure how to ask. Make sure that you stay on top of things by asking questions!

8. Develop a Routine
It’s helpful for kids and parents both to have a routine to follow, especially with how busy life can get. By having a set time to discuss school or work on homework together, it’s easier to make such things a daily priority. Not only will it help you both stay organized, it will make it much more simple to make time for discussing school matters.

7. Give Incentives for Good Grades
Here’s a suggestion the kids will like even more than the parents! By providing incentives (no matter how small) to your child, you will not only provide extra motivation for him or her, but you will also be more privy to how your child is doing at school. When your son or daughter gets a great grade on their quiz, they’ll be sure to let you know, especially if they know they’ll be going out for pizza as a result!

6. Communicate with Your Child’s Tutor
This one can be tricky. Depending on what type of tutor or tutoring service you utilize for your child, it can be hard to stay up to date on your child’s progress, or you may find that you aren’t getting the amount of detail that you would like. With an online tutoring service like here at Grades Grow Tutors, you’ll get regular reports with detailed information on what material was covered in every study session. Combine that with the flexibility and convenience of the internet, and staying up to date is easy!

5. Provide Positive Reinforcement!
It’s vital to keep your kids from getting discouraged when they’re having trouble with schoolwork. One of the most important things to remember is that kids need positive reinforcement. Not only that, but you’re more likely to get good results from having a positive attitude than from being overly negative with your child. After all, becoming frustrated with your child is only going to make school more frustrating for him or her, too. Remember that no matter what, you have to support your child as they navigate their way through obtaining an education.

4. Attend Meetings with Teachers
This may seem obvious, but I know enough teachers to know that many parents don’t or can’t attend meetings with teachers as much as they should. It’s understandable that many times it’s hard to work out a time to meet with your child’s teacher, especially when so many parents work and have many obligations for their time these days. However, whenever possible, it’s very important to meet with your child’s teacher. You can learn a lot about how school is going from talking to your child, but teachers have the luxury of being right there and seeing everything from a much closer perspective. If you really want a good idea of how things are going, talk to the teachers!

3. Use Computers to Stay on Top of Things
If you have a hard time meeting with your child’s teachers, or work conflicts make it impossible to do so, do not despair! More and more schools are utilizing the internet to help parents stay involved. E-mailing teachers can be a great, quick way to get an update on how everything is going, and your child’s school may even have the option of checking out grades online as well! Take advantage of the benefits of modern technology and you’ll find that keeping up with what’s going on in the classroom is easier than ever!

2. Study with Your Kids
Studying with your children is a wonderful thing to do because it provides more than one benefit. Not only will you be helping your child grasp important concepts and facts that they’ll need to succeed in school, but you’ll also be getting a much better feel for your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Parents who give their children homework help or who study with their kids will be much more knowledgeable about what their kids do and don’t understand. After all, if you know what’s giving your son or daughter the most trouble at school, you’ll be able to make better decisions on whether to, for instance, get a math tutor, an English tutor, or both! You’ll know whether your student needs to spend more time on a particular subject, and you’ll be more educated on your child’s progress for when you talk to their teacher. If you can make the time, studying with your kids is a great thing to do.

1. Above All, Listen!
All of these tips are useless if you’re not listening to what your child has to say. Again, we all know that the world we live in is busier than ever, and parents nowadays have so many responsibilities and things that have to be done with their time. However, it’s important to take the time to just listen to your child, and really pay attention to what they have to say about their schooling. Short of being able to actually go to school with your child, what they have to say to you is going to be the best indication of how things are going in the classroom. Plus, it’s great to take the time to talk to your kids anyway! You might as well discuss how they are faring in the classroom while you’re at it!

There you have it, ten easy ways for parents to get more involved in their child’s education. Although you may feel helpless from time to time, since you can’t be at school with your child, as a parent there are so many things you can do to help your child succeed! Try some of these tips out, and you’ll be sure to see some improvement in your child’s performance.