Parenting for Academic Success, Dr. Brad Schwall

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Research shows that parenting styles and strategies impact the academic performance of children.  How can you help your child succeed at school?

1.  Encourage your child.

• Have high expectations for your child's academic achievement.
• Show your child you believe she can achieve academically.
• Affirm effort, curiosity, progress, and successes.

2.  Be involved in your child's education.

• Show interest in your child's activities at school.
• Participate in activities at school through volunteering and attending parent functions.  Be involved in your school's PTA.
• Help with homework.
• Respond to your child's teacher's request for parent involvement.
• Set and enforce rules for completing homework.

3.  Be authoritative.

• Make your expectations clear.
• Set firm limits.
• Be responsive to your child.
• Provide emotional support.
• Avoid nagging, criticizing, showing anger, making too few demands, and making unrealistic demands.

Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Parenting Theory and Research, edited by Charles A. Smith