Creating an Atmosphere

for Learning at Home

 

 

 

 

 
This advice was compiled for parents and teachers who are working together to teach children —
from pre-school to high school — that learning is for life!

 

How can parents show that they value learning?

    • Be certain your child sees you writing and reading.
    • Provide a regular conversation time—perhaps at meals—where everyone in the family can practice polite listening and taking turns.
    • Make up stories, songs, and games with your children.
    • Show you are really listening, giving your child your full attention.
    • Practice reading, math, and writing skills with your child in your daily routine: cooking, shopping, building, or doing other daily work.
    • Have library cards and take trips to the library.
    • Ask school and community librarians for recommended reading lists.
    • Borrow literature about education and child development from teachers.
    • Plan family vacations with an eye toward your child's school schedule.

What learning activities can children do at home?
  • Solve puzzles: crossword, word search, jigsaw
  • Practice spelling words
  • Illustrate a story
  • Go on a nature walk
  • Read nature guides
  • Draw
  • Write a poem
  • Listen to music
  • Take photos
  • Make a play about a book
  • Make a commercial about a movie
  • Plan a trip
  • Make flash cards for vocabulary, math, history, and geography
  • Practice math facts
  • Work on assigned homework
  • Look at books and magazines
  • Write a story
  • Keep a journal
  • Build with LEGOS
  • Work on hobbies
  • Read books
  • Listen to a book on tape
  • Plan a meal
  • Make an audio tape or video tape
  • Read newspapers and magazines
  • Use "junk" to create toys
  • Play educational computer games
  • Write a letter
  • Plan a dream house
  • Practice penmanship

What do children need?

Children need RECOGNITION

  • Display your child's work.
  • Praise your child's work in front of friends and relatives.
  • Make it a point to compliment some portion of your child's work and to recognize even a small improvement.
  • Treasure your child's work by saving samples every year.

Children need SUPPORT

  • Develop responsibility and independence at home.
  • Know the school's homework policy.
  • Communicate regularly with your child's teachers.
  • Expect feedback from teachers about homework.
  • Find out the teachers' expectations -- for example, are you expected to check homework?
  • Keep track of routine assignments: spelling, memorization of basic facts, independent reading, math problem solving, journal writing.
  • Boost your child's self-image by providing positive reinforcement and encouragement.
  • Be aware of the school schedule and ask questions about your child's day.
  • Withhold judgment when your child's answer to a homework problem appears to be incorrect. Ask your child how he/she figured out the answer - you might be amazed!

Children need TIME to work

  • Establish a regular family study (quiet) time.
  • Schedule a regular time for "learning activities."

Children need SPACE to work

  • Provide a quiet (no TV!), comfortable, well-lighted place for studying.
  • Have different kinds of paper, pencils, markers, paints, scissors, glue, and other basic supplies accessible.

Children need a BALANCE of activities

  • Be aware of stress levels, both healthy and unhealthy.
  • Provide time for outdoor exercise and learning.
  • Spend quality time with children individually: talking, playing card games or board games, cooking, practicing shared reading, exercising, making models.
  • Provide unstructured time for thinking, dreaming, and playing.
  • Allow time for "child's play," time with other children that is not directed by adults.
  • Schedule vacations.
  • Be sure your child enjoys a variety of activities and does not spend an inordinate amount of time at any single
Vermont-National Education Association—2002
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