1. How do you start teaching a child to write letters and numbers? 

If the child is able to hold a crayon and try to color, they are ready to write. Give them things like playdough to play with to help strengthen the muscles they need to write. Show them the proper way to hold a pencil FROM THE BEGINNING! It is hard to break the habit of holding a pencil incorrectly once it has been learned. To do this, put a balled up piece of paper in the child's palm and wrap the pinky and next finger around the paper. This leaves the only 3 (index, middle, thumb) fingers they need to hold the pencil correctly!

To teach the child to write, get a composition book. Use a pen to make "dotted" letters. Start with your child's first name. Write his or her name repeatedly on one page (using 2 notebook lines so it will be large and only write the name about 5 times on one page). If your child does not sit for very long yet, I would write the name only 3 times per page right now. Hold your child's hand and guide them when they write, saying the letters as you go AND describing how to form the letter. For example "Lee" You would say "L"- down and across. "e"- straight across, up, and around like a "c".

To practice numbers, use the same notebook, dot out your phone number about 3 times on a page (again, using 2 notebook lines to do it so it will be large). Say the numbers as you write and describe how to make them. Example: 854-3179~ You would say "8" Around like an "s" and zip back up! "5" Straight across, down, and scoop around. "4" Down and across like an "L" pick up your pencil and go straight back down. "3" Scoop around and around. "1" Start at the top and go straight down! "7" Straight across and shoot down! "9" Around, up and right back down!

Don't give the child too much to do in one day, maybe one page with the 1st name and one page with the phone number each evening. That is enough for a 3 year old. In the beginning, guide them with your own hand every time. After enough nights of practice (to be determined by you), guide them on the first two and let them try the 3rd one on their own. As they get better, guide them on the first one and let them do the remaining ones on their own.

2. How do you respond to a teacher that is constantly approaching you about your child's academic struggles? 

Although it is the teacher's job to teach your child at school, you do bear some responsibility at home. If you are unsure of how to help your child and the teacher does not automatically offer tips, ask! Ask the teacher how you can help, what kinds of things you can do to make your child successful. As the teacher to tell you what, specifically, you can target at home to improve your child's chances of success. If they need to practice reading, ask the teacher to give you a list of books that your child can read independently. Then have your child read out loud at the dinner table while you are preparing dinner. If the teacher targets handwriting, purchase a handwriting book from the teacher store and, again, have your child practice at the dinner table while you are preparing dinner. This way you are in close proximity and are able to check on his or her progress. If math facts are an issue, do not give your child extra worksheets. Ask the teacher for games you can play with your child that will be fun, but will still give them the practice they need. A good teacher will not just tell you to help your child. A good teacher will tell you what your child needs to work on and provide you with the tools necessary to be successful.