What can a parent do?  

There are many things a parent can do, including staying in close communication with your child’s teacher.  Ask questions about your child, such as: “Is homework being completed and handed in on time?  Does he participate and behave in class?  What kind of difficulties does he seem to be having?” 

At home, establish a regular time and place for homework that is free of distractions.  Help your child divide work by assignment and assign time for each.  Make sure your child has a binder, with sections for each subject, and for homework and papers to be signed and returned.  Check the binder regularly so that papers are in order.  Note if your child understands how to do his homework, and if it takes more time that you think it should.

Encourage your child to read, read, read, based on his interests.   Discuss stories together, ask questions using what, why, where, when, and how.  Suggest educational television programs and the computer to do research.  Extra curricula activities are important; take the time to recognize and value your child’s strengths, and help him appreciate and unwrap the gift of his mind…..

If your child has been struggling and getting poor grades for awhile, ask the teacher what interventions have been tried, and what progress has been made?   Has it been more than 6 months, a year, more?  It may be time to consider an educational assessment, to evaluate your child’s strengths and challenges, and to determine the interventions and accommodations necessary for your child to be successful.