Hacker Valley Elementary School

Make learning math vocabulary into a game Product. Quotient. When children learn math, they also need to learn a whole new vocabulary. To make learning math words fun, play Math Concentration. Here's how: Write each term on an index card. Write its definition on another index card. Deal out five or six pairs of index cards face down, then have your child turn over two cards at a time. The goal is to make a match by turning over a term and its definition. https://tpitip.com/?12bP18889

Put your child in charge of some regular self-care tasks Sometimes, all it takes to help children become more capable is a change in attitude. Each month, think about all the tasks you do for your student. Choose one you can hand over, such as packing lunch. Then, help your child learn the necessary skills to do the task. Provide a chance to practice, then put your child in charge. Make it clear how proud you are of all the things your child can do! https://tpitip.com/?12bO18889

Play a picture game to encourage caring for others Children are naturally self-centered. But to become good students, they must learn to see and think about people beyond themselves. One way to help your child become more aware is to play a picture game. Gather photographs of people in a variety of situations. Take turns looking at a picture and describing how the people in it might feel. Start at the physical level. Imagine what people in the picture see and hear. Are they cold or warm? Then imagine how they feel emotionally. https://tpitip.com/?12bN18889

Break writing tasks down into easy steps Many students struggle with putting their thoughts on paper. To help your child with a writing assignment, break the process into steps. The first step is to list everything your child knows about the topic. Next, ask what your child would like to say about the things on the list. Talking ideas through can make writing easier. After writing a draft, have your child put it aside for a day, then reread it and brainstorm about what would make it better. https://tpitip.com/?12bM18889

Plan to spend some time outside together Spending time outdoors as a family can build muscles and strengthen relationships. And nature offers many opportunities to build your child's observation skills. Even in cold weather you and your child may be able to bundle up for a hike in a nearby park. Notice all the things that you can't see when the leaves are on the trees. You can even set up a birdfeeder together and chart the different kinds of birds you see. https://tpitip.com/?12bK18889

A lot of learning can happen in just a few minutes In as little as five minutes a day, you can help your child learn. You can ask a question to stimulate creative thinking (What if the sun came up at night?). Or ask your child to express an opinion and back it up with reasons (What is your favorite book? Why?). You can tell a story full of information about the real world, or simply say "I love you." Children need to feel loved to take the risks necessary to learn. https://tpitip.com/?12bJ18889

Chores at home strengthen school skills Doing chores at home teaches children responsibility and self-confidence, skills that benefit them in school. If your child isn't used to helping around the house, start with a few easy-to-accomplish tasks. Instead of saying "clean your room," for example, you might say, "You pick up the things on the floor. I'll hang up the clothes." Make it clear that what your child is doing makes a valuable contribution to your family. https://tpitip.com/?12bG18889

Respond to the 'gimmes' with values and expectations When product marketing has your child saying "gimme," remember that experts say kids who have been given too much don't learn to deal with disappointment. They are also more prone to anxiety and depression. Instead of buying more stuff for your child, explain your values and reasons for setting limits. Offer fewer things and more of your time. Then use expectations, not bribes, to motivate your child to work hard in school. https://tpitip.com/?12bF18889

Help your child avoid disruptive tantrums Elementary school students aren't too young to feel stress. And when they don't have the skills to cope with that stress, they often resort to toddler-style outbursts. Try to figure out what triggers your child's tantrums and where possible, avoid those situations. To help your child manage stress, practice calming techniques, like deep breathing while counting to 10, or saying, "I can work through this." https://tpitip.com/?12bE18889

Practice scientific thinking at home Scientists know that asking the right questions leads to learning. To practice the "scientific method" at home, have your child think of a question (What happens to plants if it stops raining?). Next, read about the topic together and have your child make a guess about the answer. Then help your child figure out how to test if the guess is right (grow two plants, but water only one). Your student should write down what happens and report to you on the results. https://tpitip.com/?12bD18889

Instead of providing answers, show your child how to find them Children learn by asking questions. But sometimes, they can learn more by finding answers for themselves than if parents supply them. The next time your child asks a question, demonstrate how to conduct research online or at the library to find the answer. If it's practical and safe, you might even help your child set up an experiment in your home to discover the answer. https://tpitip.com/?12bB18889

Take turns reading aloud to build fluency Reading aloud together is a great way to help your child build reading fluency. Choose a short passage from a book at your child's reading level. Read a short passage aloud. (Be sure to use lots of expression in your voice.) Then have your child read the passage back to you. If a word causes struggles, say what it is, then let your child continue reading. Repeat a few times until your student can read the text easily. https://tpitip.com/?12bA18889

Encourage the qualities that make your child a good friend Having friends at school contributes to students' positive feelings about education. To help your child be a good friend, explain that friends are respectful, polite and listen to what others have to say. Talk together about good sportsmanship and the importance of standing up for what's right without being rude. Encourage your child to be friendly, smile at classmates and say "hi." https://tpitip.com/?12aeX18889

Swap bad language for words of respect These days, it's common for kids to swear. But using bad language is disrespectful to others and compromises a productive school environment. If your teen uses bad language, consider whether you often speak that way. If so, say, "We both use inappropriate language and that's wrong. Let's change together." Then discuss ways you and your teen can do so. https://tpitip.com/?32ad18889

Guide your child to better decision-making Making good decisions is key to becoming an independent learner. When there is a decision to make, guide your child's thinking by asking questions. For example, you might ask what could happen if your child chooses one toy over another at the store. Which toy would your child play with more? It is also important to let your child learn from choices. Living with the results of a poor choice helps kids make a better one next time. https://tpitip.com/?12ad18889

Movies offer great chances to talk about real life Part of managing screen time is making it count. Use movie nights to jump-start the conversations that build parent-child connections. Watching families on the screen offers you an opportunity to discuss how they interact and how you would like your family to interact. Let the way a movie character deals with a problem, such as drugs or divorce, prompt a conversation with your child about your family's values. https://tpitip.com/?12ac18889

Simple habits keep students organized for success Students who lack organizational skills lose school papers and materials, forget what they are supposed to do and don't turn in schoolwork on time. Encourage your child to track assignments and due dates in a notebook or planner. Then, have your student create a list each day of everything that needs to be done that day, and check completed items off the list. Establishing these habits will keep your child on track for school success. https://tpitip.com/?12ab18889

Use positive ways to promote better writing When your child shows you a piece of writing, your response can be discouraging or motivating. Instead of pointing out mistakes, begin by praising something specific. "This phrase is very lively!" Next, comment on the point your child is making. Is it clear? Ask questions to help your student clarify or add details, such as "Can you give some reasons why you think that?" Then leave the revisions up to your child. https://tpitip.com/?12aa18889

Ask questions to help your child think about the process of learning When students think about how they learn, they stay more motivated to learn more. When discussing assignments with your child, ask questions like: What do you already know about this work? What questions could you ask to learn more? Which parts do you think you do really well? Which are hard? Does it get easier as you go along? https://tpitip.com/?12aZ18889

Point out strengths when your child struggles Even the most capable students sometimes complain, "I'll never get this! I'm stupid!" If parents let this go on, children often think they can't do well and may not even try. To address self-criticism, remind your child of past successes. Talk about ways your student's hard work has paid off. Put setbacks into perspective by saying things like, "You got a bad grade, but you gave it a good try. Let's talk about things that will help you do better next time." https://tpitip.com/?12aX18889