Before the year begins, I would like to share an excerpt from an article I was recently reading. The article is entitled "A New Generation of Evidence: The Family is Critical in Student Achievement" by Anne T. Henderson and Nancy Berla. In the article, the authors listed seven characteristics of families whose children find success in school. The characteristics are:
- Establish a daily family routine: Provide time and a quiet place to study. Try to eat dinner together as a family. Embrace family traditions.
- Monitor extracurricular activities: Set limits on your child's TV time, Internet use, etc...
- Model the value of learning: Communicate to your child through questioning and conversation. Demonstrate that a sense of productivity and achievement comes through hard work. And... read...read...read!
- Express high (and realistic) expectations for achievement: Set goals that are appropriate for your child's age and maturity. Recognize your child's God given gifts and talents.
- Encourage your child's progress in school: Encourage your child's effort, patience in solving problems, and question your child about his or her favorite part of the school day.
- Encourage reading, writing, and communication among family members: Read and listen to your child read. Talk about what he or she is reading in school. Discuss the day or tell stories over dinner. Make the most of the time in the car (especially the carpool line!).
- Use community resources: Enroll children in sports programs or lessons. Take your child to community landmarks. Go sightseeing in your community.
As parents, we know the importance of the role we play in our child's education. But it's also nice to know there is evidence supporting that belief. Thank you for partnering with us as we begin another year at Trinity. I pray you and your child will have successful school year!
