Helping your child to be Ready To Learn Every day!
What helps children to succeed at school:
Talking and listening:
It is really important to talk to your child and to listen to them. Finding time for both can be so difficult with busy lives!
- Set aside time for talking—without being interrupted by phones, TV, radio, computer etc!
- Tell them about your day and encourage them to tell you about theirs.
- Don’t interrupt your child, be patient and allow them time to speak.
- Ask your child for their opinions and value what they say.
Spending time together:
You can help your child if you:
- Share books and games in a quiet environment—not in front of the TV!
- As a family, play games together that encourage concentration e.g. jigsaws and board games.
- Encourage physical play and exercise by taking a trip to the park or the local leisure centre.
- Give lots of hugs and praise.
Being prepared:
- Check your child has their name in everything they bring to school.
- Make sure your child remembers to bring everything they need each day-reading book, PE kit, homework.
- Keep in contact with school and let them know if you change phone numbers or addresses.
- If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing, tell school as soon as possible so they can help to find solutions to any problems.
Working out a family routine:
- Children like routine so try to have regular times for going to bed and getting up, mealtimes and family times.
- Make sure they have a healthy breakfast at home or at school’s Breakfast club.
- Have a regular meal together in the evening.
- Try to make time for homework, reading and talking together and for bedtime stories.
Getting enough sleep:
- Children need sleep to develop, to concentrate in school and to learn well.
- Under fives need up to 15 hours, primary children about 10 hours and even older children still need 9 hours.
- Too many late bedtimes can make it hard for children to learn.
- A good night’s rest will help your child feel happy all day long.
Behaving well:
- Agree clear and realistic rules and stick to them!
- Encourage your child to always say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and not to interrupt you or others when you are talking.
- Support school rules and encourage your child to follow these.
- Ask for help if your child’s behaviour is proving difficult at home.
