Some students breeze through school. They find classes interesting, challenging and stimulating. They like to read independently and are often found scouring the shelves of libraries for new and exciting things to learn. They come home from school each day and sit down to do their homework without being asked. If they come across a word they don't understand, they find a dictionary and look up the word. If your child is one of these students, count your lucky stars because you are very lucky indeed! For a lot of parents, helping their children succeed in school can be a challenge. Many parents report that their child does one or more of the following:
• Has difficulty getting homework done without being asked several times
• Loses assignments between home and school
• Postpones schoolwork until the last minute
• Prefers to skip rather than attend classes
• Has behavior and social problems in school
Many of the problems that kids experience at school are related to their behavior rather than their academic abilities. For example, many children who do poorly in a course often don't do homework, prepare for tests or attend class regularly. They may be disruptive or inattentive in class, thereby missing much of the information that the other students are learning. More often than not, the most academically successful students are also the ones who behave well in class. Students who have positive social skills have a better chance of doing well academically.
There are several things parents can do at home to improve their children's school behavior and academic performance. Over the next few months, we will explore different strategies you can use to help your child be as successful as possible during the school year.

Children spend one-half of their waking hours in school or school related activities. Studies show that children whose parents are involved in their education do better in school than children whose parents are not involved. Parents' involvement in their children's education is a stronger indicator of their success in school than cultural background, socioeconomic level of the family, or natural individual level of academic capability.
Two activities parents can do to help their children succeed in school are:
Set up a study time at home
Completing homework helps children learn and retain new information. It improves understanding and enhances academic performance. Begin small and work towards the ideal setting. Some helpful suggestions:
• Establish a central location
• Keep area quiet and free of distractions
• Schedule time that best fits family routines
• Divide study time for children who have difficulty with concentration
• Have your child do their homework first before other activities
Communicate effectively with your child's school
This may not be easy to do but can be extremely helpful to your child's success. Some helpful suggestions:
• When attending school activities, prepare yourself with questions or concerns that you want to address.
• Begin communication when things are going well with your child. Give compliments to the teacher through notes or phone conversations.
• When there are problems, share concerns while they are small. Ask how things are going