1. Parenting For School Success What Parents of Preschoolers should know Guidelines from the U of M Extension Program

2. Parenting For school Success EXPECTATIONS STRUCTURE LEARNING SUPPORT RELATIONSHIPS MODELING

3. Expectations  Your preschooler is learning rapidly. Be patient and commit to being their first teacher.  Teach respect. Talk to your children about how you expect them to behave.  Read regularly to your preschooler and introduce them to books/the library and appropriate media.  Provide clear and direct instructions to your preschooler.

4. Structure  Follow a schedule – Importance of a daily routine.  Record development and learning milestones. Keep progress reports from teachers and other assessments.  Let children be children – Don’t over schedule your child’s life. Allow time for play, day dreaming and exploration.  Be prepared to answer questions, to listen, to guide and to encourage.

5. Learning  Give them lots of opportunities with work with their hands.  Explain boundaries and rules.  Turn everyday household chores into learning experiences.  Talk with your child often.  Read often to your child  Play stimulates learning. Allow your preschooler to play often.  Go places and do things.  Present opportunities for social and emotional needs to be met, through various interactions and situations.

6. Support  Praise your children every day. Effective praise recognizes the child’s effort not just success. Effective praise is immediate and is about the task. Don’t wait until the report card comes.  Be aware of special needs. If you suspect your child has a special need, begin by talking to school staff. You may need to go beyond the school to find help.  Participate in your child’s learning. No matter how well you read or what your first language is, be involved in your child’s learning.

7. Relationships  Create safe and peaceful places. Encourage play dates with peers, neighbors, family members and other safe people.  Children need to feel good about themselves. Help them build on their strengths and understand their limitations.  Praise what you child does well. For example, “Great Job! You did an awesome job!

8. Modeling  Behave the way you want your children to behave. Talk calmly, show concern for others and listen respectfully to your children.  Demonstrate the skill. Allow them to participate in simple activities with you; shopping, cooking, baking, folding laundry.  Solve problems step by step. Learn to use the productive and positive ways to work out problems in your relationships.