Engage in your child’s education

The Canastota Teachers’ Association — the caring, dedicated professionals committed to supporting the students and the Canastota community— provide helpful guidelines.

We are the Canastota Teachers’ Association - the caring, dedicated professionals committed to supporting our students and the Canastota community.

Here are some helpful guidelines to engage in your child’s education.

•Build a line of communication with your teacher. This could best be done through email or a note in the folder and agenda. Many teachers have websites or newsletters to keep you informed on classroom activities, tests and events.

•Show an interest in your child’s studies. You can do this by asking open ended questions so they tell you about their day and what they are learning. We all know that if we ask a child “How is your day?” They will say good and that will be the end of the conversation. Ask specific questions that start with Why? Who? How? And don’t be afraid to ask themto explain what they mean.

•Check your elementary child’s folder or agenda each night. Having their folder helps everyone stay organized. Be sure to sign and return all papers promptly. For students in the upper grades ask them if they feel they are organized, if not you could give them a cal- endar so that they can post upcoming deadlines. Have them organize their subjects by color coding their materials, if they tend to forget notebooks and folders.

•Designate a homework/ study spot with adequate lighting that is quiet and away from TV or other distractions. Make sure your child has all the necessary supplies to complete an assignment.In addition set aside a quiet time at which everyone, young or old is having some time to read, study or learn something new. Younger siblings can do a quiet activity so that older siblings can get their work done distraction free.

•Make sure your child has a reasonable bed time and is eating healthy meals regularly.

•Talk to your child about how they are doing with their work. If they feel they are struggling consult their teacher and ask what you can do to support them. This might include quizzing them before a test, reviewing their homework before it goes to school and going over corrections that come home. There are many useful academic websites and apps that would serve as reinforcement tools for skills learned in school. Don’t be afraid to discuss tutoring if your child is experiencing serious difficulties.

•Limit screen time and steer children toward educational programs and games when they do use electronics. You may not believe it but children that watch documentaries remember information, are excited to participate in class and share their knowledge and make a connection to science and history classes.

It is important to remember that parents are their children’s number one role models. Modeling a positive attitude will help their child learn to be positive. Nomatter how the previous school year ended, remember that this year is a ‘fresh start’. Reflect on things that might have worked in the past and brainstorm how this can help you find new ways to succeed this school year or solve problems your child may have had in the past.

Look for another informative CTA column focusing on “The Parents’ Guide to Parent Teacher Conferences” in November.