- Behavior
- Education
- Parenting
How to teach academic and personal skills to excel in school
To be successful in school, children must have an array of tools and skills. Here’s how you can foster those at home, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
- FOCUS ON HEALTH: Make sure your child eats right and exercises. Provide a healthy afternoon snack before homework. Keep vaccinations up to date. Click here for a list of recommended vaccinations.
- ENCOURAGE READING: Start early by reading to your baby and young child. Keep reading materials around your home. Let your child see you reading and enjoying it. (If you're uncomfortable with your reading skills, seek out a literacy program in your community). In Palm Beach County it is the Literacy Coalition.
- START A CONVERSATION: This give-and-take helps develop language and communication skills. It also lets your child know you care. So ask about classes while in the car or walking to and from school. Talk about food shopping, prices and health while at the supermarket. Discuss what you see on TV together. This makes conversation an everyday part of your life.
- KEEP TRACK OF SCREENS: Too much screen time cuts into important activities like reading, playing and talking with family. Limit your own TV watching or cell phone scrolling because children tend to mimic their parents’ behavior. Watch TV or YouTube together so you can answer questions and point out important information.
- VISIT YOUR LIBRARY: Get your child a library card. Make the library part of your weekly schedule. Teach your child how to take care of library materials and return them on time.
- TEACH SAFE USE OF THE INTERNET: Spend time online with your child and help find appropriate websites. Pay attention to games they might download or people who may try to contact them. If you’re not familiar with computers, learn along with your child or check your local library for courses. For more information about internet safety, go to Get Net Wise.
- ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBILITY AND INDEPENDENT WORK: Create household rules. Make it clear your child is responsible for his actions. Develop a reasonable schedule of household jobs.
- GUIDE AFTERSCHOOL AND WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: If you can’t be with your children, make sure they keep you informed about where they are, what they’re doing, and whom they’re with.
- PUT HOMEWORK FIRST: Children should know homework is the top priority. Set a time each day for it, maybe after your child has had time to relax after school but before other activities. Set aside a quiet area and a clear table space so homework is free of distractions. Don't feel it has to be perfect. Say something positive about their work and maybe point out only one or two errors to prevent discouragement. For more homework tips, click here.
SOURCES:
• U.S. Department of Education
• Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County
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Related resources
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Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County
Countywide programs to promote literacy for children and adults
561-279-9103 Website -
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BRIDGES of Palm Beach County
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Health Care District of Palm Beach County
C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics — medical, mental health and dental services at more than a dozen locations through the county, regardless of your ability to pay or whether you have health coverage, including for homeless and migrant populations.
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Palm Beach Pediatric Society
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American Academy of Pediatrics
HealthyChildren.org, a parenting website with children's health and development information, backed by 67,000 pediatricians
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Prime Time Palm Beach County
Quality Improvement programs — list of afterschool and out-of-school locations for children and youth
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