10 Ways to Help Your Child Become an A Student

President Obama gave a speech last week asking for parents to become more involved in their children’s education. It is easy to blame a teacher for a child who is failing however  what the child does afterschool is just as important as what the child does while in school. As a parent, I want my child to do well in school. I have told my son since he started in kindergarten, your job is to go to school and get good grades. Me and my husband work hard to ensure that the bills are paid, there is food on the table and that my son has clean clothes to wear. For a child to get in good grades; it is obvious that a child has to get to school on time and go to school regularly. Just going to school is not going to guarantee that your child will do well in school. As parents we have an obligation, a responsibility to work along side with our child’s teachers to ensure that they do well in school. Below I have listed ten ways a parent/teacher can help a child excel in school.

1. Ensure your child goes to school regularly and that they arrive to school on time.
2. Maintain open communication with your child’s teacher. It is both the parent and teacher responsibility to work together to help the child. Keeping an open dialogue, checking up with the teacher on your child’s progress can help address any issues or concerns early on. It is ok to talk to the teacher regularly don’t just wait for parent/teacher night.
3. Don’t just ask your child if they did their homework. Set a time for them to do their homework and check it every night. 
4. There is no such thing as too much reading; encourage your child to read at least thirty minutes every day. Buy books for your child or take them to the library.
5. Make sure your child gets a good night sleep.
6. Ensure your child eats breakfast.
7. If your child is struggling with any particular subject meet with the teacher and develop a plan of action to help the child.
8. Remain supportive and encourage your child to challenge themselves.
9. Take your child out on recreational trips that support what they are learning in school.
10. Talk to your child and keep an open line of communication with them. Be attentive to any behavioral changes or mood swings.

Again, no one likes to fail at anything and as a parent we have a direct responsibility to help our children. I come home tired from a long days work however, when I think of my sons education, I realize that I have to make a full investment and it requires for me to sacrifice some of my time. I know in the long run I will reap the rewards but for now I will continue to support my child by staying active in school life. Children deserve to succeed but deserve a fair chance to succeed. We have to do our part and stay on top of them. We have to play an active part in their life and ensure that they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. We are helping them learn to be productive members of society. If they get an A, we deserve one too.