TIPS for PARENTS

Tips on preparing for Testing Days

Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferences

LINK: to helpful Math web sites

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LITERACY GROWTH
(source: International Reading Association, December 2003/January 2004 issue of Reading Today)

Children's ability to read and write depends a lot on the things parents do at home. The following list suggests materials and activities that are important in helping children learn to read and write. First check off the things you already do. Then try to do something on the list you haven't done before.

Materials:
· Have a space at home for books and magazines for your child.
· If you can, subscribe to a magazine for your child.
· Place some of your child's and some of your own books, magazines, and newspapers in different parts of your home.
· Provide materials to encourage children to tell or create their own stories, using puppets, dolls, or tapes.
· Provide materials for writing, such as crayons, markers, pencils and paper, in different sizes.

Activities:
· Read or look at books, magazines, or the newspaper with your child. Talk about what you looked at or read.
· Visit the library and take out books and magazines to read at home.
· Tell stories together about books, about your family and about things that you do.
· Talk about written material you have such as catalogs, advertisements, work-related materials and mail.
· Provide a model for your child by reading and writing at a time when your child can see you.
· Point out print in your home such as words on food boxes or recipes, directions on medicine, or instructions on things that require assembly.
· Point to print outside, such as road signs and names of stores.
· Write with your child and talk about what you write.
· Visit the post office, supermarket and zoo. Talk about what you saw. When you get home, draw and write about it.
· Use print to talk to your child. Leave notes for each other. Make lists, such as food lists, lists of errands, and lists for holiday shopping.

Show Support:
· Reward your child's attempts at reading and writing, even if they are not perfect, by offering praise. Say kind words like "What nice work you do" or "I'm happy to see you are writing - can I help you?"
· Answer you child's questions about reading and writing.
· Be sure that reading and writing are enjoyable experiences.
· Display you child's work in your home.
· Visit school when your child asks. Volunteer to help at school, attend programs in which you child is participating, attend parent conferences, and attend parent meetings. This lets your child know you care about him or her and school.

Resources:
The International Reading Association has several brochures and booklets for parents available in English and Spanish.

100 Ways to Praise a Child
You’re special · Well done · I’m proud of you · You’re on top of the world · You’re incredible · Way to go · Super · Outstanding · Excellent · Great · Good · Neat · Remarkable · Wow · I knew you could do it · Fantastic · Super Star · Neat work · Looking good · Now you’re flying · Beautiful · You’re catching on · Now you’ve got it · Bravo · You’re fantastic · Hurray for you · You’re on target · You’re on the way · How nice · How smart · Good job · That’s incredible · Hot dog · Dynamite · You’re beautiful · You’re unique · Nothing can stop you now · Good for you · I like you · I love you · You’re a winner · Remarkable job · Beautiful work · Spectacular · You’re spectacular · You’re darling · You’re precious · Great discovery · You’ve discovered the secret · You’ve figured it out · Fantastic job · Exceptional performance · You’re a real trooper · Hip, hip, hurray · Bingo · Magnificent · Marvelous · Terrific · You’re important · Phenomenal · You’re sensational · Super work · Creative job · Super job · You are responsible · You go girl · You learned it right · What an imagination · What a good listener · You are fun · You’re growing up · You tried hard · You cared · You gave 100% · Outstanding performance · You’re a good friend · I trust you · You’re important · You mean a lot to me · You make me happy · You belong · You’ve got a friend · You make my laugh · You brighten my day · I respect you · You mean the world to me · You’re right · You’re a joy · You’re a treasure · You’re wonderful · That’s perfect · Awesome · A+ job · You’re A-OK · My buddy · You made my day · That’s the best · Thanks for being you · Give them a big hug · Give them a big kiss · Give them a smile

100 Ways to Praise a Child in Spanish
Grandioso * Así se hace * Sobresaliente * Sensacional * Excelente trabajo * Te ves guapísimo(a) * Imponente * Bien por ti * Adelante * Excelente * Sabía que tú podías hacerlo * Es un trabajo impresionante * Bien hecho * Qué lindo * Me siento orgulloso(a) de ti * Extraordinario * Has hecho mi día * Fantástico * Buen trabajo * Se ve bien * Estás bella * Es maravilloso conocerte * Bravo * ¡Lo has logrado! * Maravilloso * Eres especial * Lo estás captando * Lo lograste * Bingo * ¡Un hurra para ti! * Novedoso * Vas camino al objetivo * Explosivo * Vas en camino * Qué listo eres * Un super trabajo * Qué gran ayuda eres para mí * Iluminas mi vida * Artístico * Eso es increíble * Fantástico trabajo * Me caes bien * Eres único * Nada te puede detener ahora * Saber escuchar * Es un trabajo espectacular * Eres muy valioso * Magnífico * Buen descubrimiento * Super * Lo dedujiste * Iluminas mi día * Significas el mundo entero para mí * Buena idea * Fue un desempeño excepcional * Qué chivo * Me importas * Eres mi alegría * Eres emocionante * Qué imaginación * Bravo bravo hurra * Tres aplausos para ti * Trabajo creativo * Uno se divierte contigo * Hiciste lo mejor que pudiste * Un gran abrazo * Tú eres importante * Lograrás mucho * Maravilloso * Te quiero * Te amo * Fenomenal * Un trabajo de primera * Me haces sonreír * Encajas bien * Eres tan entusiasta * No hay nadie como tú * Significas mucho para mí * Te respeto * Espectacular * Eres un tesoro * Eres maravilloso * Estás bien * Me haces reír * Eres más dulce que la miel * Continúa con tan buen trabajo * Te ves radiante * Qué radiante * Estás madurando * Eres mi compañero * Confío en ti * Te admiro * Qué encantadora / encantador te ves * Brillante idea * Muy bien tiene el espíritu * Así se hace * Eres asombroso * No sería igual sin ti * Eres tan responsable * Eres tan gracioso * Gracias por tu ayuda ... mírele en los ojos y sonría.