There are several ways that you can help your child become a better learner in school. The following list gives general ideas that can help your child learn.

• Read aloud to your child EVERY DAY and let your child read to you. The more children read both at home and at school, the more they will improve their reading abilities.
• Encourage children to draw and write stories at home. This will increase confidence at home.
• Supervise television viewing. Choose good programs and set some time limits. Talk to your child about what you have watched.
• Establish a regular time and place for doing homework and offer praise when assignments are completed.
• Monitor how your child spends his or her time out of school. Limit video games and television viewing and encourage reading, hobbies, scouts, and other activities that provide learning and social opportunities.
• Make sure your child attends school regularly. Show an interest in what is being learned at school, and communicate that school is important.
• Be a role model for your child. Children will imitate what they see their parents doing. If you read, your child will want to read.

Your home is filled with reading material. You would be surprised at how much we all rely on reading. You may read directions when you cook, clip coupons from the newspaper, read mail, and read the TV guide. You read all the time for real purposes. Your child needs to know that reading outside school is still reading. Invite your child to read with you during these reading times at home.

• Write in diaries or journals
• Cook together and read recipes
• Read video game directions
• Write letters to relatives
• Read the TV guide and discuss good choices
• Read and discuss news articles
• Prepare a calendar of activities
• Write messages to each other
• Make shopping lists
• Read menus
• Write a family vacation journal
• Tape record stories
• Create photo album captions
• Read notices from school
• Write thank you notes
• Create original stories

Reading at home with your child is a valuable time. The following techniques can help to make the time you spend even more profitable. At school, we use special techniques and questions to help children understand the story. Here are some suggestions.

Before Reading

• Look at the title and illustrations together. Predict what the stories will be about.
• Discuss what you both already know about the topic.
• Read the first page and ask what might happen next.

During Reading

• Encourage your child to picture in his or her mind what is happening in the story.
• Ask what might happen next in the story.
• Have your child change his or her predictions as the story provides new information.
• Ask how a character might feel.
• Talk about the illustrations.

After Reading

• Have your child retell the story and create a new ending together.
• Retell the story from another character's point of view.
• Let your child illustrate his or her favorite part of the story.

When your child is reading, it can help if you ask probing questions. This will improve your child's reading comprehension. The following list provides some examples of the questions you might ask.

• Did the story turn out the way you thought it would? Why or why not?
• What made this book interesting?
• Is the main character someone you would like to have as a friend? Why or why not?
• If you were the author, how would you have changed the ending? What other events would you have changed?
• Is this a book you would recommend to a friend? Which events would your friend enjoy most?
• How would the story change if it took place in our town?
• Have you ever felt the same way as the main character?
• Would you enjoy reading other books by this author? Why or why not?
• What do you think would happen in a sequel to this book?

All children love to listen to stories read out loud, even older children. It is fun to read stories to children. You can read books your child has brought home from school or borrow books from the public library. Here are some read-aloud techniques that can make your reading time even more fun!

• Select books that both you and your child will enjoy.
• Read unfamiliar stories to yourself first to note places that may need special effects to create drama.
• Don't read too fast and adjust your pace to the story and your child.
• Encourage your child's participation in the reading session joining in repeating phrases, making comments and asking questions.
• Allow time after reading for discussion.
• Both parents should take turns reading aloud. Fathers are important models too.
• Never withdraw reading aloud as a punishment. That may destroy all the positive effects of reading aloud.