How can we as parents/guardians support our children?

• Read to your child in his or her home/primary language and/or English. Research shows that reading to your child in your home/primary language will help support English literacy skills.

• Tell stories to your child in your home/primary language. Talk about your own childhood or things you remember from the past.

• Show your child that you value your home/primary language. Speak to him or her in that language even if he or she responds in English.

• Get a library card for your child, go to the library, and borrow books in English or in your home/primary language, if available.

• Be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences scheduled by your school.

• Schedule an individual meeting with your child’s teacher to learn about specific ways that you can help your child succeed.

• Schedule time every day for your child to do homework and, if possible, provide a quiet place, free from distractions, where he or she can work.

• Plan family outings to museums. Guides at the museum can help you navigate an exhibit with your child. In addition, museums often offer inexpensive and/or free enrichment classes after school or on weekends.

• In the United States, parents are an integral part of the education system. Ask your child’s teacher how you can participate.

Credit: NYSED