How can I help my child do well in school

[amothersquest]

I want my son to do very well in school but this is my first child to start school so it is all new to me too I would like some advice form other mums on how to give my child the best start from now

In practical terms you can make a huge difference by reading regularly with your DS, playing board games, talking to him about the world and ensuring that he turns up at school ready and willing to learn (had enough slept, ate breakfast etc).

More importantly, you will want to model a genuine enthusiasm and love of learning, a positive attitude, and self motivation.

I have seen a lot of bright children come undone at secondary school because whilst they are technically able, they can't be bothered to put the effort in once they lose the strong pastoral support and parental input that is prevalent at primary school.

agree with adeucalione, sleep, breakfast and read read read. (reading him stories that are his age, not his reading level). Make it clear you care about school, and are involved.
make a time for homework (reading books at this stage) with no tv.

At this stage so much is about settling in and getting used to school. Most things are play based, and they often don't realise that they are learning. ou might find he is horrendously tired, or comes out of school and has a melt down all over you. Temper tantrums reappear etc. This is normal, it is just that they have been focussing and being good all day and just can't do it any longer.

Read, read, read.

Reward effort, not achievement.

Read some more.

Encourage their interests, even if they're not the interests you were hoping for.

Make sure their homework is always done, whatever it is, and then try to encourage them to do a little bit more than is asked.

Trust the teacher. They understand that not every child is a genius much sooner than most of the parents.

I would wholeheartedly agree with reading, reading and more reading.

Get lots of sleep, eat well, spend time discussing the school day (to the extent that they can remember) and, as they get older, make sure that they learn times tables and spellings so that they have a good grasp of the basics.

agree with all the above, at this early stage reading is really important but don't fret if others in his class seem way ahead, there's a massive ability range in reception and yr1 ime which doesn't necessarily continue to yr 3 and beyond.

if you can go into class and help every now and again you'll really get a feel for what they do and where you can help him at home. But for the first term at least, enough sleep and quiet time at home will help him hugely.

Read, play, sleep, eat, read lots more.

Go out to all our wonderful (free) museums and galleries and libraries (if you still have one!)

Chat about the world, life, the universe.

Answer all those questions, and if you don't know the answer look it up with your child. Don't fob them off or they will stop asking.

Loads of praise for effort (the results will follow in time).

Remember, they are not you so they may not necessarily like the stuff that you do. Find out what they like.

Oh, and did I mention reading.

just want to point out that I meant read out loud to him, not just listen to him read. Reading out loud extends vocab and language structure and fosters a love of books which then spills over into his own reading.

raisinbots, loved your post. Yes all that!