10 Resolutions for Parents to Brighten Their Children’s Future
    
It’s not too late for parents to try out this list of 10 New Year’s resolutions that are guaranteed to help their children enjoy a healthy, safe and academically positive 2011. 

For example: Read to your preschool and primary school children at least 15 minutes a day and they will become lifelong readers. 
    
Other resolutions are: 

• Discuss what happened at school with your child each school day.
   
• Praise children when they do well; support them when they fail; and give children the respect they deserve. 
   
• Get to know your child’s teacher better. 
   
• Give children opportunities to be independent and responsible for their own actions. Hold them accountable. 
   
• Help children to think and to solve problems. Discuss options and examine alternatives with them. 
   
• Limit television viewing and video game time.  
   
• Let your child know school is important. Talk to them about how you still use what you learned in school. 
   
• Join in the life of your child’s school. The more help parents give teachers, the more time teachers can spend with students. 
   
• Show your children your own love for learning and set their learning sights high.      
        

Source: National Association of Elementary School Principals; www.naesp.org

Helping Your Child Study

• Establish a Routine. Setting a regular time and sticking to it helps children complete their homework assignments.

• Set the Mood. Ensure the room your child studies in is quiet, has plenty of light, and has school supplies close at hand. Remove distractions by turning off the television and discouraging social phone calls during homework time.

• Show an Interest. Ask your child about school activities and talk about what was discussed in school that day. Take your child to the library to check out materials for homework, and make time to read with your child as often as you can.

Monitoring Homework Assignments

• Be Informed. Find out about the school's policy on homework at the beginning of the school year. Ask your child's teachers about the kind of assignments that will be given and what kind of time frame the children have to complete them.

• Be Involved. Ask the teacher how you can help with homework. Be available to answer your child's questions, look over completed assignments, and encourage your child to share returned assignments so you can read the teacher's comments.

Providing Guidance to Homework Assignment

• Learn How Your Child Learns. Understand your child's learning style and develop routines that best support how he or she learns best.

• Encourage Good Study Habits. Help your child get organized. Ensure your child has scheduled enough time to complete assignments.

• Talk. Discuss homework with your child. Talking about an assignment can help your child think it through and break it down into small, workable parts.

• Provide Encouragement. Find ways to support your child's efforts in completing assignments.

Source: US Department of Education; www.ed.gov

• Make Reading a Priority. Let your child know how important it is to read regularly. Establish a regular time and place for reading.

• Read to Your Child. Make time to read to your child on a regular basis. It is a great way to help develop a love of learning.

• Ask Your Child to Read to You. Have your child read aloud to you.

• Keep Reading Material Close By. Make sure children's books and magazines are easily accessible. Keep a basket of books in the family room, kitchen, or your child's bedroom to encourage him or her to read more often.

• Visit the Library. Make visits to the library a regular activity and let your children select their own books.

• Be a Reading Role Model. Read a lot. Let your child see you read and hear you talk about your books.

Source: US Department of Education; www.ed.gov