Some basic ways to help your child succeed during the school year

The success of your child's experience at nursery or school depends to a great degree on your role as a mother. Here are some basic ways to set your child on the right path this school year. Stay in touch with your child's teacher. Take the initiative and contact your child's teacher during the school year. Many nurseries and schools provide an opportunity for parents to meet the teaching staff in the first few weeks of the school year, but an individual meeting with your child's teacher is what you should be seeking. Contact the teacher and arrange a brief meeting with her, whether before or after school hours, so that you can introduce yourself. Let the teacher know that you wish to maintain continuous contact between you, whether through monthly visits to the nursery or school, written correspondence, or regular phone calls. This will enable you to understand the teacher's expectations of your child and you will remain aware of your child's progress both academically and socially. Stay in touch with the school administration. Whether you want details about a coming trip or want to speak directly with the head of the nursery or school, the administration office plays a key role in arranging that contact. Introduce yourself and your child in the first few weeks and make sure to introduce yourself whenever you call or visit the nursery or school. Always keep the channels of communication between you and your child open. Encouraging your child to talk to you about what goes on at nursery or school is a difficult task. If your child is not used to talking about the daily events he goes through at nursery or school, then ask questions that require more than a simple "yes" or "no" and encourage him to tell you the details. Encourage him to show you examples of what he did at nursery or school so that you will know what he has learned. And even if your child is not keen to talk about what he did, by asking about some of the details of his day it will be clear that you really are interested in his school life. Then share information with your child about what you did during your day while he was at nursery or school. This will encourage him to include you in his experience. Support your child's school activities. It is important to support your child's participation in nursery or school activities. Encourage your child to discover the kinds of sports activities available. Studies confirm that children who take part in extracurricular activities perform better academically and socially, and you may also discover that your child has a hidden talent.