Your Child’s Educational Future: Part #2

It’s never too early to set your child up for a successful educational path and start to develop skills important for your child’s future.  Take a look at a few more ideas below that help support a foundation for a successful educational future. Click here if you missed Part #1 of this blog. 

Set your Child up for Success in School:

The best way you can help your child to succeed in school is to get involved. Some parents may have a schedule that allows them to be more involved at their child’s school, but being involved doesn't always mean you have to be part of the PTO, volunteer weekly or even attend all school functions. You can be involved simply by talking with your child about what they are learning at school. Creating a dialog about school will show them that you are interested in their education and you expect them to learn.  Below are some more ways you can be involved to ensure success for your child at school.

Practice Basic Skills at Home. Creating flashcards for age appropriate skills or even practicing to follow multi-step directions is important for continued success at school. Whatever you may be practicing at home, you are reinforcing the importance of learning with your child.

Teach Social Skills. Feeling comfortable when socializing with classmates as well as teachers will help them to feel confident when working in groups or asking for help. Knowing they have a support system at school will also be important for their ongoing success.

Keep Communication Flowing. Stay in contact with your child’s teacher about expectations and results. Be in the know about what is happening at your child’s school. Read newsletters and any other information sent home with your child.

Create a Routine. Routines are important to help children learn to follow schedules and become more independent and self-confident.

Create a Love of Reading.(See Develop a Lifelong Love of Reading! post for ideas to create a love of reading in your child's life.)

Create Study Space. Creating a space for children to work on homework or to practice their skills will encourage learning and reinforce the importance of education. Keep this area free of distractions like TV or toys, but make sure children have enough materials at this space to be creative as they work. Also, be available to help with any questions.

Create an Environment to Explore Interests:

Creating several opportunities for children to explore interests is an important step to help foster a successful educational future. Let your children explore through several activities at home as well as outside of the home as well. Let them participate in cooking meals, family planning, home arts and crafts household chores and gardening to help them explore what might be appealing to them.  Try to also schedule several family outings at the local zoo, museums, library, etc. Having them involved in extracurricular activities such as sports or even a volunteer program are also great ways to expose them to many possible interests. While you do all of these things talk about what they like most about them and what they’d like to do again or see more of. When you know what your children’s interests are you can encourage them to participate in activities that reflect these interests to help build skills and knowledge. This may even lead to exploring new hobbies and interests.  Also begin to talk about what jobs or careers they may have while exploring these interests. For example, if your child shows an interest in cooking, they could own a restaurant, be a chef or even create new kinds of candy!

Understand the World of Work:

Learning about the world of work is important to children of all ages. Being aware of what work and jobs are important when building the stepping stones of a successful educational future.  When making your young children aware of work and jobs, discuss the different jobs people have at different locations you visit. For example, when you are grocery shopping talk about the workers at the store, the cashier, the butcher, the bakers, etc. and what their job requires. After your children learn what work and jobs are, see if they can point some of them out to you while you are out and about.

When children are old enough to start expressing interest in specific things, talk with them about what jobs or work they could have that involve their interests. For example, if you child in interested in cooking, talk with them about all of the many jobs that involve food.

When children are a bit older, let them explore the jobs they may be interested in. Talk with friends and family with different careers so that they can share with your child and possibly even let them participate in some activities.  Another way to have them explore the world of work is through dramatic play. Giving them career dress up and other items to pretend with will also allow them the opportunity to explore the world of work.

Make lots of time for fun:

When creating a strong foundation for an educational future and teaching your children about the world of work is most important to teach them that life isn't all about work. Creating balance in life is key to success in anything we do. Make sure that there is plenty of time for fun and family. Involving children in extracurricular activities is a wonderful way to make sure that there is much fun to be had. From hiking and picnics to soccer or cooking classes, extracurricular activities are a great way encourages children to have fun. The best way to show our children true success is being a model of this balance ourselves and participate in these activities with them. Creating such a balance will help your children succeed in more ways than one and help them to become happy, healthy, productive members of our community.

If you are currently a Primrose Parent, you know what benefits the Balanced Learning Curriculum and Classroom atmosphere has to offer. The curriculum is built to allow teachers to teach to the many different learning styles and keep all students engaged. It also allows children to participate in Child initiated activities where they can explore through arts, dramatic play, science, math, reading, and much more. Primrose partners with parents to build a strong foundation for your child’s educational future.

Primrose is currently enrolling for the 2013-2014 school year and the Summer 2013 Camp Primrose. Make sure to reserve your spot today!