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Office of the Deputy
Superintendent of Schools

Parent Tips

What Principals Would Tell Parents to Help Them Help Their Children . . .

Here's what elementary and secondary principals said when asked in a national survey what they would tell parents, if they could tell parents just one thing to help them help their children:

1. Take time to talk with your children, and listen to what they have to say.
   
   Department of Education study: Average American mother spends less than 30 minutes a day talking to her children. Average American father--15 minutes.
   
   
   • Talk when your child comes home from school.
   • Make a point to talk 1:1 with each child, not always just group talk.
2. Take an active interest in your child ask what he or she is doing in school--and monitor progress.
   
   • Don't just ask, "What did you do in school today?" Ask questions like, "How are you doing?" "What are your latest test grades?"
3. Let your children know you love them. Take the time to show that you care.
4. Help build your child's self-esteem, the opinion he/she has of himself/herself.
5. Read to and with your children every day.
6. Make certain kids spend time on homework.

Source: The Parent Institute