1. Early in the year, review your child's previous year's progress and test results. Discuss with the teacher whether your child needs extra help in reading, math or other subjects.
2. Reinforce what your child is learning in school by asking questions about classroom and homework assignments.
3. Attend Open House and parent-teacher conferences. Ask about activities you can do at home to improve your child's skills.
4. Keep in contact with your child's teacher throughout the year. If your child seems to be struggling, ask the teacher about tutoring programs or other forms of available assistance.

1. Encourage your child to read a variety of materials, including books and newspaper and magazine articles. Look for opportunities to discuss what your child is reading. Find out what your child learned from the text. Suggest that your child make notes about unfamiliar words and concepts.
2. Help your child learn to use the reading resources available at home or at the library. Doing this will put your child on the road to becoming a better, more independent reading.
3. Establish a daily reading time, when each family member can enjoy their favorite book or magazine without distraction of television. This will help your child realize that you value and enjoy reading. It will also improve your child's ability to read "between the lines" and to make connections between reading and personal experience.

1. Encourage your child to talk about the steps used when solving a math problem.
2. Ask questions about what is represented in the tables and graphs found in different sections of magazines and newspapers, such as the weather page.
3. Find ways to incorporate math skills into everyday situations like comparing prices when shopping, budgeting money, calculating the amout of tax and tip, measuring ingredients for cooking, doing home repairs, and estimating time and distance when traveling.