Help Your Child By... Seven Habits that make a Successful First Grader

This is a reminder of the many wonderful things that you may already do.

Creating a Passion for Learning- Build upon your child’s natural curiosity by listening and engaging them in conversations about areas of interest.  Take it further by going to the library and visiting places that are likely to spark curiosity.  Also, share your interests with your child.  For example, when you are reading the newspaper, share how a topic caught your attention or surprised you. Show your child how much you still enjoy learning!

Showing How to Be a Problem Solver- When certain problems arise, talk through your problem solving process out loud.  This helps young children to develop problem solving strategies, both academically and socially.  Encourage your child to talk through problems and possible solutions with your guidance and support.

Modeling Strategies for Coping with Frustration- We all have to deal with life’s ups and downs.  Help your child develop some strategies for handling difficult situations and strong feelings in ways that are age-appropriate.  For example, if nightly homework is becoming a struggle, recognize your child’s feelings but work together to figure out how to complete the task in order to be successful.  Work together to establish a strategy such as breaking each homework task up into manageable parts or finding a time that your child is able to best focus.

Teaching Organizational Skills- Establish morning and evening routines so that your child is ready for school.  In the morning, your child can check their backpack to make sure they have his or her completed homework and homework folder, morning snack, and lunchbox.  In the evening, your child should be responsible for taking out the homework, finding a quiet place to complete it, and placing it back in the folder.  Find a place for your child to save any work that has already been completed and does not need to be sent back to school.

Providing Learning Support- Have high expectations for your child.  When work is sent home or while your child is completing homework, make sure that to share your thoughts about their efforts.  Share what you noticed that your child has done well in addition to areas that need improvement.  When you have observations or questions about your child’s performance, please communicate with us.

Encouraging Positive Study Skills- Set up an inviting area for working at home.  This area should include: a table, a comfortable chair, access to the Word Wall words, writing tools, and any other materials that will support learning.  In addition to completing homework, set aside short blocks of time for ongoing learning.  For example, your child may need extra time learning how to spell weekly Word Wall words.

Showing How Preparation Impacts Performance– When doing homework, teach your child to read the directions and look at the examples that are given. Show your child how a little preparation can help him/her to be more confident and successful.  

Inspired by an article in the Chicago Tribune, September 7, 1997 by Ann Douglas.