1. Reading- Parents should spend quiet time with their children. Reading is one of the most effective ways to utilize that quiet time. Research has told us that reading is an important factor in the success of children. In addition to quiet time, parents should take their children to the bookstore or library on a regular schedule to try and motivate them to read. This process should begin at a very early age, but it is never too late.

2. Meeting with Teachers- Parents should become familiar with all the teachers who are responsible for their children’s education. Teachers will be more involved with children if the parent’s are involved with them. This can benefit the children by having someone who may make an extra effort to identify educational strengths and weaknesses. Parents who are involved will have a pipeline to the teacher, who can help them get assistance if their children are in need, or recommend special programs. Furthermore, children will be less likely to misbehave when they know their parents have a rapport with their teachers. Parent teacher conferences are a must for parents.

3. Provide Educational Environment- Parents should organize their home to be conducive to academic success for their children. The house should demonstrate that education is important. This can be done by having educational materials throughout the house, especially in the child’s bedroom. This material can consist of computer, printer, books, magazines, plenty of of paper, pencils and notebooks. This environment should have something to read all over the house, as well as educational posters, art, and words on the child’s wall in the bedroom.

4. Routines- When raising successful children, parents must develop routines that keep them on a schedule. These routines will give children a successful way to organize their life. Some of the routines that are important include: what time to get up in the morning, what time to go to bed at night, what time is set aside to study each night, limited television during the week, no video games during the week, reading every night, what time to do chores each day and what time to eat each day. Parents can develop the routines they think are important. Read the rest of this entry »