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Mrs. DiMaggio

Dear Families,

It's with great pride and joy that I return to McKinley this year. I am very excited to embark upon the learning adventure together as we reach toward mastering the standards through a variety of formats.

I have high expectations of your child, of you, and of myself. The three of us must work together as we enjoy this learning adventure called first grade. I expect your child to work hard at learning and revel in the joy of each achievement. I expect you to be a role model for your child and provide the encouragement and support he or she needs to succeed. I promise to take each child as a precious possibility and to challenge each mind to the best of my ability.

Do not hesitate to call on me if you have any questions, comments, or words of encouragement. I can be reached at 510-618-4132. We are a team and must support each other.

Sincerely,
Mrs. DiMaggio
First Grade Teacher


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Things to Know for the First Day of School in First Grade in Room 8

1. School begins at 8:10 am. Line up on the lines outside (below the staircase).

2. Students should bring a HEALTHY snack for our morning recess. NO CANDY OR SODA. Its also important students eat a balanced breakfast in the morning. Breakfast can be purchased in the cafeteria.

3. Your child needs a lunch. Lunch is from 11:30 pm - 12:15 pm in the cafeteria. Bag lunches are fine or hot lunches can be purchased for a $1.75. Info/Applications regarding free or reduced lunches will go home today, or can be picked up in the office.

4. Each student needs a backpack or bag everyday. A folder to keep papers neat is also a good idea.

5. Parents should check their child's backpack everyday. Many important papers and notes will be going home. Sign and return needed forms by the end of the week.

6. Do not bring binders, crayons, pencils, boxes, felt-tips, scissors, etc. Keep those items at home for homework assignments.

7. Dismissal time is 1:50 pm. Parents must meet the class outside at the lines. Please be on time for pick-up.

8. The first homework packet will be sent home once staggered reading begins. More information will be sent home soon.

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Parent Survey

Room 8 - First Grade
McKinley Elementary School

Dear Parents,

I am writing you to invite you to be a partner with me in your child's education. Please take a few quiet moments and write to me about your child by answering the questions below.

Your response will help me make your child feel at home in our classroom. I am looking forward to a wonderful year!

Sincerely,
Mrs. DiMaggio
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Name of Child: _______________________ Kindergarten Teacher ?: _____________

1. What would be important for me to know early on in the school year?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your child's favorite food? Do they have any food allergies?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

3. Do they have a medical condition?
________________________________________________________________________

4. What is your child passionate about (favorite cartoons, interests, songs, books, ect.)?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

5. How many siblings are living in the home? What are their ages? Who else lives in the home?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

6. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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Classroom and School Behavior Expectations

________________________________________________________________________

McKinley Students are each a . . .
Students
Take
Academic
Responsibility
________________________________________________________________________

Classroom Expectations

At McKinley school, we are expected to be . . . . ..
RESPECTFUL
RESPONSIBLE
POLITE AND USE KIND WORDS - NO BULLYING, TEASING, OR USE OF PUT DOWNS
KEEP HANDS, FEET, OBJECTS TO OURSELVES
ARRIVE TO SCHOOL ON TIME
STAND AND WALK IN A QUIET LINE

Consequences . . ..
First Time: Warning
Second Time: 5 Minute Time Out
Third Time: 10 Minute Time Out
Fourth Time: Parent phone call; Up to one hour in-school suspension in a buddy classroom
Fifth Time: Referral to the Principal

The 9 Best Ways to Help Your 1st Grader
Succeed in School

1. Encourage Reading In Any Way You Can
2. Treat Your Child As Though They're An Author
3. Make Math Part of Everyday Life
4. Teach Your Child How To Listen
5. Tell The Teacher Everything
6. Make Sure Your Child Is Ready For School
7. Spend Time In The Classroom
8. Encourage Responsibilities and Independence
9. Ask Your Child About School Everyday

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Encourage Reading In Any Way You Can

Reading should not be underestimated. In not only enhances learning in all the other subject areas; but exposes children to a wealth of information and experiences. It stimulates the imagination, nourishes emotional growth, builds verbal skills, and influences analyzing and thinking. Reading to or with your child is one of the single most important things you can do. It is important to promote a love of reading by giving your child lots of fun experiences with print. Here are some reading milestones you should look for now (but remember, your child's skill level may vary), and specific tips on how to help.

MILESTONE 1: Your child realizes that individual printed words represent individual spoken words and begins to recognize and read a few - such as dog, car, and no, plus his own name.

How to help:
· Read together every day.
· Encourage your child to point to words as he "reads" a book.
· Help them learn to write and identify upper- and lowercase letters.
· Teach them how to spell and write familiar words and names.
· Play word-related games (as in: "I'm going to eat something on this table that begins with the letter B. Can you guess what it is?" or "Let's say all the words we can think of that start with the letter T").
· Together, come up with a list of short, simple words that rhyme (such as bat, cat, sat, rat, hat). Write them down in a column, so your child can see how part of each word is similar.

MILESTONE 2: Your child can read simple, repetitive books using the text or illustrations to figure out unfamiliar words.

How to help:
· Read a new book aloud several times before encouraging your child to tackle it on his own.
· Listen to your child read and help - if asked - with problem words. Act like it's no big deal if he misses some. Concentrate, instead, on making the experience fun.
· If your child misses a lot of words while reading, and starts acting frustrated, offer to take over the reading, or choose an easier book. Never force your child to read a book that's too hard just because his friends can read it, or his sister could when she was his age.
· Help your child write and read his own stories and books. Accept whatever spellings she uses, even if it's only the initial letters of each word.
· Get your child her own library card.

MILESTONE 3: Your child begins to read short, illustrated books on her own, for enjoyment.

How to help:
· Make frequent trips to the local library, and encourage your child to pick out her own books.
· When your child is reading to you, casually supply the words she doesn't know or can't figure out. Encouragement is still more important than correction.
· Play games that involve reading skills (for example, have a treasure hunt and place written clues around the house; play Junior Scrabble and other age-appropriate board games).
· Ask your child to read to a younger friend or sibling.
· Leave your child brief notes - to say "I love you" or "Good luck" or "Don't forget to take your homework to school" - in her lunch box, near her cereal bowl at breakfast, or on the bathroom mirror.
· Give books as gifts.
· Limit TV, computer, and video game time, and encourage your child to read instead - even it's only his baseball cards or some comic books.

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Treat Your Child As Though They're an Author
Your child doesn't have to be Hemingway or Shakespeare. All they have to do is grow up thinking that they can put thoughts and words onto paper. And the sooner he starts, the better. As with reading, you can help in different ways, at different stages of development. Look for these milestones, and use these tips:

MILESTONE 1: Your child can scribble or draw a picture and associate words with the picture (such as, "This is the sun" or "This is me").

How to help:
· Provide lots of materials (paper, markers, crayons, paints, chalk, etc.) and time for drawing.
· Ask your child to tell you about the pictures she draws, and label the objects as she points them out.
· Ask your child to dictate stories or poems to go with the pictures he draws, and write them down for him. Then, read his work aloud, exactly as he dictated it.

MILESTONE 2: Your child begins to produce marks on a page that resemble written words, and can "read" you what he's written.

How to help:
· Encourage your child to "read" you his words, and express your enjoyment ("What a wonderful story!" or "Thank you so much for sharing that with me").
· Keep providing the materials and time for your child to write her own stories and books.
· Write stories and poems alongside your child, and read to her them what you've written (even if you think it's awful - your child won't judge it).

MILESTONE 3: Your child understands that sounds are represented by certain letters, and begins to write actual letters to represent real words ("sn" for sun, for instance).

How to help:
· Encourage your child to write notes, keep a journal, or write her own books.
· Offer to rewrite their words or sentences, using the real spellings.
· When reading together, point out how most sentences have the first letter of the first word capitalized, spaces between each separate word, and a period at the end.
· Mention who the author is when you read books together, and talk about what authors (and illustrators) do. Point out that when your child writes stories, he's an author, too.

MILESTONE 4: Your child begins to fill out the words she writes, using more standardized spellings.

How to help:
· Don't act overly concerned about spelling. Instead, continue to praise your child for the imagination and ideas he expresses in writing.
· Gently correct spelling on school homework assignments. Your attitude should convey, "Let me help you" rather than "Get it right!"
· Reinforce the idea that a piece of written work rarely just happens: It gets written, edited, proofread, and rewritten before the final copy is published.
· Let your child create a quiet writing corner in the house, and encourage her to write frequently. Give them ideas about what to write if she's stumped. For instance: "Write a note to Grandma to say thank you for the birthday present"; "Write down your favorite memory from when you were little"; or "Write a story about your favorite toy."
· Have your child write lists - of anything from what they wants for their birthday or what their favorite movies are, to what they love most about school or what they want you to buy at the grocery store for snacks.
· Let your child see you writing, and talk about how you're using writing: to express thanks, for instance, communicate information to office mates, lodge a complaint, request vacation information, remember errands; create a shopping list, etc.
· Get the whole family involved in keeping a vacation or "special days" journal.

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Make Math Part of Everyday Life
At home, the best way to help your child learn to love math is to play with numbers, and to frequently point out the various ways in which math makes our lives easier. By working with tangible objects, and counting, sorting, estimating, measuring, looking for patterns, and solving real-life problems, children learn to think in mathematical terms, without worrying whether or not they're "smart enough" to do math.
Almost anything you do that involves numbers and/or problem solving will build your child's math skills.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
· Have your child set the table (counting and sorting the sets of plates, napkins, cups, and silverware).
· Post a running countdown of the days until his/her birthday. Let them change the number each day.
· Challenge them to guess at things, and then find the answers. For example: How many bowls of cereal do you think we can get out of this box? How many M&Ms do you think are in your (snack size) bag? How many minutes do you think it will take to clear off the table? Which of these cups do you think will hold more juice?
· Play a copycat game, where one person creates a pattern (pat your head, touch your knee, clap three times) and the other person has to repeat the pattern three times in a row.
· Ask your child to help you create a pattern for a quilt square or an abstract picture using markers and paper; construction paper in different colors, cut into square, triangle, and other shapes; or shapes cut out of different fabrics.
· Ask your child to measure things in non-traditional units. For example: Let's see how many footsteps it takes to get from here to the door. Why do you think it's more for you and fewer for me? How many action figures (or Barbie dolls) long is this table?
· Have your child compare things: Which do you think is heavier - a cookie or ten chocolate chips? Who do you think is taller, mom or dad? Which carrot is longer? Fatter? Crunchier?
· Give your child problems to solve - and let her work them out by touching and counting actual objects. For example: I have four cookies here, but two people want to eat them. How many should each person get? If we invite six kids to your birthday party, and put two candy bars in each kid's treat bag, how many of these candy bars will we need?

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Teach Your Child How To Listen
Teachers who've been around for 15 or more years say they've seen a definite decline in children's attention spans and listening skills since they first started teaching. Many of them attribute it not only to the fast and entertaining pace of television and computer games, but to the fact that many children today don't have a lot of time to just sit around, listening and talking to family members. Between parents' jobs and children's after-school activities, it's hard, sometimes, to get everyone in the same room for a family dinner once a week. But being able to focus on what other people are saying is an important element in learning. So, whenever possible, try to build your child's listening skills.

Here are some strategies that will help:
· Read aloud to your child on a regular basis - even after they have learned to read by themselves. Ask questions as you read, to make sure your child understands what they hear.
· Limit television, computer, and video game time. While they're all-entertaining, and can even be educational, they tend to promote tunnel vision. Make sure the time your child spends in front of a screen is balanced by time spent with other people, talking face to face.
· When you speak to your child, make eye contact and gently touch his shoulder or arm, to secure his attention.
· When giving directions, ask your child to repeat back to you what she heard you say - to make sure she really did hear, and does understand what she needs to do.
· Model good listening behaviors. When your child wants to talk to you, for example, stop what you're doing and look at him while their speaking. When their finished, say something that indicates you heard them, even if you only repeat back what they said.
· Play talking and listening games with your child like Charades, Red Light/Green Light, Duck, Duck, Goose, and Twenty Questions.
· Teach your child that even if an adult is saying something he finds boring, he still needs to listen, look at the person, and show respect.
· Spend time with your child doing quiet activities that encourage conversation, such as taking a walk together, taking a ride in the car, folding laundry, picking strawberries, etc.

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Tell The Teacher Everything
That is, everything that's happening at home that might affect how your child behaves in school. That includes positive changes (such as the birth of a baby, a move to a bigger and better house, or even a vacation to Disney World), as well as negative ones (a separation or divorce, a death or illness in the family, a parent who's lost a job).

It's not that teachers are nosy. It's that most children are not terribly skilled at handling excitement or coping with changes or stress. And they all carry their baggage from home into the classroom. Even something little, like a fight with a sibling in the car on the way to school, can affect a child's behavior or performance at school.

If a teacher knows there's a problem or change at home, she's less likely to react inappropriately when behavior goes awry at school. Under normal circumstances, for instance, a dip in grades might prompt a teacher to suggest extra help or tutoring. If she knows that the child just got a new baby brother, however, she might react instead by pulling the child aside and inviting them to talk about how their feeling now that their a big sister.

You needn't go into all of the gory details of what's happening at home, either. All the teacher expects to hear is, "I just wanted to let you know that we're moving to a new house next week, and Allan is pretty nervous about the whole thing" or "If Sheila seems a little hyper these days it's because her aunt is taking her to her first Broadway play this weekend."

What else do teachers want to know?
· How your child feels about school: Are they unhappy? Do they think it's too hard? Are they complaining about it at home? Or do they like it? Is there some special activity that they really enjoy? Do they talk about the things they learn in school? Most teachers would rather hear about problems sooner than later, so they can work on turning things around as quickly as possible. They - like the rest of us - also appreciate a kind or encouraging word now and then. So don't forget to mention the good stuff.
· How your child feels about school friends: Are they making any? Do they feel like a part of the class - or an outcast? Are they being teased or harassed? Are they too shy to make new friends? Do they need to branch out from one best friend and get to know other kids? In elementary school, there is still a lot teachers can do to mold social relationships. But they need to know what the problem is before they can start to solve it.
· What your child's special passions are: Sometimes, a child who is a reluctant reader can be drawn to books that speak to a special interest, such as sports, or pirates, or ice skating, or animals. Or, a desire to write may be stimulated by an invitation to describe one of the subjects your child loves. Let the teacher know if there is something that really motivates your child, so she can capitalize on it in the classroom.
· What your child's special needs are: That includes anything from allergies to phobias, physical or medical conditions, learning problems or preferences, special talents, emotional concerns, and behavioral patterns. If you think an issue might come up in these or other areas, let the teacher know.

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Make Sure Your Child Is Ready For School

All through elementary school, it's the parent's job to make sure a child:
· Gets to bed at a reasonable hour. That means around 7:30 to 8 p.m. Children who regularly go to bed later on school nights have a hard time keeping up in school, teachers say. They end up being tired and grouchy, they're more likely to have behavioral problems, and they aren't able to fulfill their academic potential. Even sleep specialists are now beginning to believe that certain behavioral and learning problems among children are the result of undetected sleep deprivation.
The bottom line is that a good night's sleep is the best guarantee of a pleasant and productive day at school.
· Eats a filling and nutritious breakfast. Children who skip breakfast may not feel hungry when they first get to school, but according to teachers, they usually hit a slump around mid-morning and can't keep their minds on schoolwork, until sometime after lunch. If your child doesn't like the traditional foods kids eat for breakfast, let them eat what they do like. There's nothing nutritionally wrong with eating pizza or a peanut butter sandwich in the morning. Or, if all else fails, send them to school with a breakfast bar and a box of juice, so they can get something in their belly before the first bell rings.
· Wears the proper clothes for both the day's activities and the weather.
· Labels all belongings. That includes their backpack, lunch box, books, school supplies, gym clothes, gym bag, art smock - and any other piece of clothing or personal item that might somehow get separated from them during the school day.
· Has a lunch or lunch money. Most children aren't thinking about lunch when they run out to meet the jump in the car in the morning. It's your job to make it, take it, or remind your child to remember about lunch.
· Puts their homework in their backpack, to bring to school.
· Remembers to bring special supplies for special days. There's nothing more devastating to a young child than to be the only kid who forgot their teddy bear on the day the class was having a teddy bear picnic at school. Or to show up on picture day wearing his rattiest clothes. Or to forget to wear the class colors for the all-school field day. These are the kinds of details most kids (and parents) have a hard time remembering. So it's your job to find a way to help you both stay on top of teacher requests. Hang up a big calendar with important dates circled in red, for instance, or put up post-it notes on the bathroom mirror the night before a special day at school.
· Knows exactly who will pick her up and what will happen when the school day ends. Children will worry all day long if they don't know what to expect when that final bell rings. So remind your child when they're leaving home: "I'll see you at the corner after school at three p.m." or "I'll be home from work at six p.m. Then we'll have supper and I'll check your homework." If you anticipate any change in the daily routine, or in the person greeting your child after school, make sure you give plenty of notice.
· Gets to school on time - every day. Chronic lateness is not only disruptive to the entire class; it can make a child feel out-of-step all day. Plus, it sends a message that school is not important.

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Spend Time In Your Child's Classroom
Even if it's only once a year, and you have to take a half-day off from work to do it. All children get a real thrill when they see their parent in their classroom. It sends a powerful message that you care about your child, and about their education.

Seeing the classroom firsthand is also the best way for you to get a perspective on what and how the teacher is teaching, what kinds of challenges the teacher is facing, what the class chemistry is, how your child fits in within the group, and how she interacts with specific peers. Plus, it will give you a better idea of the kinds of questions you should ask to draw your child out when talking about school.

In most schools, you don't need an excuse to visit the classroom. Just ask the teacher if you can come in and observe. If you want an excuse, volunteer.

Teachers are always looking for parents to:
· Share expertise in a particular subject area related to your job or hobbies
· Read to children
· Conduct writing workshops, or help children "publish" their books
· Tutor kids who need extra help, or work with a small group of advanced students in math or other subjects
· Chaperone field trips
· Sew costumes for a school play, bake cupcakes for a party, or cut out paper shapes for a class project
· Type up a classroom newsletter or literary magazine
If you have lots of time to give, you might consider:
· Being a "class parent" (the person who acts as a liaison between the teacher and the other parents - rounding up chaperones for school trips, for instance, or finding volunteers to bake for the class bake sales)
· Being a playground monitor
· Joining the school's parent/teacher association
· Joining the principal's school advisory committee (if there is one)
· Running for your local school board
At the very least, you should plan to make time to attend:
· Special events to which parents are invited (a Mother's Day brunch, prepared by the children, for instance; or a Writer's Tea, at which children read their stories aloud to their parents)
· Special school events, such as the annual Holiday Show or Spring Musical
· The school's annual open house
· All of the scheduled parent/teacher conferences

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Encourage Responsibility And Independence
Both of these are essential to independent learning. And both will make it easier for your child to adjust to the demands of school, and get along with his teacher and classmates. So, whenever possible let your child do things for themselves - and for others.

For example, encourage them to:
· Play an active role in getting ready for school. That includes picking out school clothes (preferably the night before), getting up on time (using an alarm clock, if necessary), getting dressed, washing up and brushing their teeth, getting their own breakfast ready, making up their bed, and checking to make sure they have everything they need in their backpack. Once your child is physically capable of doing these things, let them take charge. If necessary, make them a checklist to help them remember everything that needs to be done.
· Develop a homework routine. While there's no set formula, it will help if your child has a regular time and place to do their homework each day. That way their less likely to forget to do it, and less likely to fight about doing it "later on."
· Unpack their own backpack. Teach them that as soon as they get home from school, they should unpack their backpack, put their homework materials at their homework place, and hand you (or put in a special place) any newsletters, notes from the teacher, papers to sign, or special work they've brought home. Then they can watch TV, or have their snack, or do whatever else is planned. If you make this part of a daily routine, you're less likely to be hit during the morning rush with, "Oh, no! I'm supposed to bring in cupcakes for the party today" or "Today's the day you're supposed to come to school for our science fair."
· Pick up her own mess. That includes toys scattered on the living room floor, bikes, and roller skates left out on the driveway, and wet towels left cold and lonely on the bathroom floor. It may take longer and require more effort for you to insist that your child pick things up themselves, but in the long run it's better for them than having you always do it. In school, they won't have a choice.
· Get involved in family meals. Young children can set the table or help with the grocery list.
· Perform regular chores that benefit the entire family. Even little things like taking out the trash regularly will help your child see themselves as part of a larger family team. It will also build their sense of competence and confidence.

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Ask Your Child About School Every Day
It isn't always easy to get the scoop on school from your own child. If you ask a perfectly normal, sincere question like, "What did you do at school today?" you're likely to get the classic response: "Nothing."
One reason is that so many things happen in the classroom that it's hard for the average child to answer a question like that. They can't remember everything they did, and even if they could, they wouldn't know where to start. It doesn't help to ask, "What did you learn at school today?" or "How was school today?" either. Both will elicit one-word answers ("Nothing" or "Fine"), because they're too broad and too vague for most children to process. But it's still important to ask about school, because it teaches your child that school is important, and that you really are interested in their life. So how can you get your child to open up?

Here's what other parents say really works:
· Don't ask too soon. "When my son gets off the bus, the last thing he wants to do is talk about school," says parent Mary Mitchell. "He's too busy thinking about playing with his toys or visiting his friends. So I've learned to let him chill out and play awhile before asking any questions."
· Develop a ritual. "For some reason, the only time my 5-year-old son, Jack, really opens up about school is when he's taking a bath," says mother Tamara Eberlein. "So every night, when he gets into the tub, my husband sits with him for ten or fifteen minutes, and Jack tells him everything that happened at school. He really looks forward to that time with his father." "For my son, the magic moment is bedtime," says parent Charles James. "He's probably just trying to stall me, so he can stay up later. But when he's all tucked in and the lights are off, I hear the most detailed descriptions about school."
· Ask specific questions. "I get the best responses when I ask my son about something I'm pretty sure he did at school that day," says parent Julie Ritzer Ross. For instance: "Did the teacher read any new books today? Did you learn any new songs during music class? Who sat next to you at lunch? How did you do on your spelling test?" The more specific you can be, the better.
· Read everything the teacher sends home. "The notes and newsletters that come home in my son's backpack are really the most reliable sources of information," says Charles James. "I find out what my son is learning about, what's coming up in terms of special events or field trips, what kind of help the teacher could use in the classroom, and what I can do at home to reinforce what my son is learning in school. It's not always easy to find time to read them, but it's worth the effort because it helps me fill in the blanks from conversations with my son."
· Give your child space. Some children like to think of school as their own private world, where their parents and siblings can't intrude. If your child is like that, don't push. Let them know you're interested in their school day, and let them approach you if they have anything really important to share. Then stay in touch behind the scenes with the teacher, to make sure everything's going okay.

This article was adapted from Ann E. LaForge's article displayed in Scholastic titled: The 10 Best Ways to Help Your 1st-Grader Succeed in School.

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5 Ways to Encourage a Love of Learning

1. Read, read, and read to your child for at least 15 minutes every day. Take turns reading with your older child - you read one page, she reads the next - or establish a family reading time when everyone reads her own book.

2. Encourage him to express his opinion, talk about his feelings, and make choices. This will build his confidence to participate in school discussions and activities. Be sure to establish parameters for his choices, since you don't want to criticize his decisions.

3. Help her develop hobbies and interests, and ensure she has the tools she needs to pursue them. For example, if she loves to check the mailbox, give her a magnifying glass and album and show her how to start a stamp collection.

4. Provide him with play opportunities that support different kinds of learning styles - from listening and visual learning to sorting and sequencing. Stock your closet with supplies that will encourage him to be creative and express himself.

5. Point out the new things you learn with enthusiasm. Discuss the different ways you find new information, showing her that learning is both fun and challenging.

http://www.scholastic.com/schoolage/grade1/homework/10bestways.htm

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Last modified: September 2007
Text Credit: Mrs. DiMaggio - Photo Credit: Ms. Miller