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At School: Ways to Help Your Children Help Themselves

Get great tips on how to help your kid help himself in school.

At School: Ways to Help Your Children Help Themselves

  • Look at the teacher when he or she is talking.
  • Smile at your teacher and nod your head to show that you understand something.
  • When a teacher offers ideas to help you or corrects your mistakes, always say "Thank you."
  • Give yourself at least one "I Am, I Can" statement every day.
  • Even if you didn't finish an assignment or you didn't like doing it, always hand in your work on time.
  • If you don't understand something, ask the teacher if he or she can explain it differently using other words or examples.
If you get stuck, try saying:
  • "I understand what you said, but I can't remember everything I am supposed to do."
  • "I listened to you, but I don't understand what I am supposed to do."
  • "I can do all of the reading, but the writing will be difficult for me."
  • "I have a very hard time with the reading."
  • "I tried to listen to you, but I had a hard time concentrating."
  • "I want to do a good job, and I will need more time to do the work."
Remember: Teachers don't get mad at students who try. Reprinted with permission from Understanding LD* (*Learning Differences): A Curriculum to Promote LD Awareness, Self-Esteem and Coping Skills in Students Ages 8-13, by Susan McMurchie, M.A., copyright ©1994. Used with permission from Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. For more information about this book or for a free copy of Free Spirits' Parents' Choice-approved catalog, call (800) 735-7323 or send email.

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