Introduction

As an elementary teacher for 23 years, I have seen over and over again the relationship between a child's success in school and that child's parents' involvement with that child at home. Bright children whose parents are not involved in their academics seem to struggle to reach their full potential while lower ability students whose parents are involved in their academics can surpass their more gifted peers.

Research has consistently shown that the family is among the most important influences in predicting a child's academic performance. The U.S. Department of Education has stated, "The family is critical to success in school." Noted educator Lucy Calkins has found, "No one is more important or more powerful in a child's life than that child's parents." Other research about the family has shown that children whose parents are involved in their education have better grades, a more positive attitude toward school, and more appropriate school behavior.

Often I have parents ask me how they can help their child at home. They simply aren't sure what to do. It is my hope that this blog will be a useful tool for helping parent better know how to help their children to be more successful in school.

With each new post, strategies will be given for helping your children be more successful in school. These will not come all at once, but over a period of days and weeks.