How Can Parents Assist in the Learning Process? What Classroom Teachers May Suggest.

Through interaction with their children and experiences they provide for them, parents can influence and guide children's growth, development, and learning process. This paper, in English- and Spanish-language versions, lists several ways parents can support their children's learning. The paper first notes that parents can establish a support system for children to achieve their maximum potential through the development of confidence, motivation, effort, responsibility, initiative, perseverance, caring, teamwork, common sense, and problem solving. The paper then lists activities for facilitating parental involvement and promoting a positive home environment, including communicating regularly with teachers and school staff, even if there are no questions; making sure the child has a safe way to and from school; and teaching children to ask questions and not be afraid to learn new things. The paper next presents a checklist of questions parents should consider asking themselves, such as "Do I treat my children as worthwhile members of the family?" or "Do I take interest in my child's education and attend parent/teacher conferences?" Finally, the paper lists specific learning activities parents can do with their children in the areas of reading and language arts, mathematics, and miscellaneous, including arts and crafts projects. Includes a list of 9 resources. (HTH)