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1. Look at your children’s schoolwork each day, whether it is a picture drawn by a first-grader or a paper written by your high-school sophomore. Reviewing their work lets them know you’re interested in their academic progress.
2. Ask questions about what happened at school and share highlights of your day. Engage in conversation during the drive home or at mealtime.
3. Praise your child for real accomplishments and efforts, not just for showing up. Meaningless praise does not build one’s self-esteem; accomplishing something meaningful does.
4. Be supportive of your children’s teachers and schools. Always consider yourself a partner of the teaching staff instead of an adversary. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child.
5. Request conferences with teachers and counselors when issues begin to appear. Don’t wait until it becomes a full-blown problem.