Released November 10, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. —- In many ways, parents are the most important teachers children will ever have. As a parent, it is important to support your children's education both at school and at home. Your children are learning the most from you by watching you, talking to you and interacting with you.

There are six key factors that help children learn, based on the literature reviews and research of Sandra Chistenson, University of Minnesota:

1. Expectations. Children learn better when parents have clear and reasonable expectations. Talk with your child's teachers to be mutually clear about behavioral expectations. Ask about the quality and quantity of schoolwork required and when it needs to be done. Make sure your children understand what will happen if they don't (and do!) meet expectations.

2. Structure. Children learn better when parents provide a regular routine. They do their best when they know what is expected of them. Help them schedule their time. Make sure schoolwork gets done. To provide balance, allow time for fun.

3. Learning. Children learn better when they have opportunities outside of school. Children don't stop learning when they leave school. The more positive and constructive learning experiences children have outside of school, the better they do in school.

4. Support. Children learn better when parents regularly give them support and praise. Praise them often in their schoolwork, progress and efforts. Let kids know that you care about them and how they do in school. This increases their self-confidence and helps them do better in school.

5. Relationships. Children learn better when they feel safe and accepted at home and at school. They benefit when family members treat each other with warmth and respect. Carry out discipline with love, limits and respect. At school, students learn best in a climate where staff respect each other and their students, and where curiosity and creativity in learning is encouraged. In addition, children need to feel safe from emotional and physical bullying and other violence in school (and on the way to and from school).

6. Modeling. Children learn better when parents and other adults set a good example. When parents read, study, ask questions, talk about education, set goals and get involved in their children's school, they are setting an example. Your children watch everything you do. Strive to be a positive role model and seek out positive role models for your child.

University of Minnesota Extension's "Parenting for School Success" project includes a publication for parents with practical ideas that support school success, parent involvement, and more effective parent-school communication. To learn more about "Parenting for School Success" go to http://www.parenting.umn.edu.

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http://www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/parenting-for-school-success.html

Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu