Following are 13 strategies for your family to help develop your child’s learning from Child, Family, School, Community – Socialization and Support, 10th ed. by Roberta Berns

1. Express your love.
   • Spend time with your child.
   • Talk and listen.
   • Help child to be independent (let child do things he/she can do).
2. Use everyday opportunities to teach about the world.
   • Talk about scenery, weather, news.
   • Figure things out together–how much time has passed, how to divide the pie, how to repair the toilet.
   • Enable the child to follow directions.
   • Plan together (activities, goals).
3. Encourage questions.
   • How does this work?
   • Why did this happen?
4. Give approval for trying new things.
   • Reward accomplishments.
   • Make it understood that mistakes happen–what can we learn?
   • Stimulate creativity.
5. Instill a love of books.
   • Model reading.
   • Read to your child.
   • Answer questions.
   • Visit the library.
   • Tell stories, and have your child tell them too.
6. Get involved in school.
   • Talk about school positively.
   • Visit school.
   • Encourage attendance.
   • Support homework.
7. Limit TV viewing and computer (screen) time.
   • Select appropriate programs and games.
   • Encourage reading and imaginary and physical activities.
   • Discuss programs and Internet information with your child.
8. Encourage writing.
   • Have your child write and/or draw thank-you notes, messages, stories.
9. Develop math concepts.
   • Cook together.
   • Play games.
   • Give allowance money to save and spend.
10. Develop science concepts.
    • Encourage collections.
    • Observe plants and animals.
    • Visit museums.
11. Develop social studies concepts.
    • Discuss current events.
    • Observe national / cultural holidays.
    • Demonstrate good citizenship by being well informed, discussing decision making, voting.
12. Get involved in the community.
    • Visit workplaces (post office, fire department, factory, office).
    • Visit historical sites.
    • Participate in community service.
13. Be a model of lifelong learning.
    • confidence (“I can do it.”)
    • motivation (“I want to do it.”)
    • effort (“I’m willing to do it.”)
    • responsibility (“I follow though on commitments.”)
    • initiative (“I am a self-starter.”)
    • perseverance (“I finish what I start.”)
    • caring (“I show concern for others.”)
    • teamwork (“I work cooperatively with others.”)
    • common sense (“I use good judgement.”)
    • problem solving (“I use my knowledge and experience effectively.”)