The following list of suggestions is offered to give kindergarten parents information about things they can do at home to help their children be more successful at school. Parents often focus on academics and do not realize how important attitudes and social skills are to student success.

Parents should see that being a successful member of a classroom takes many of the same skills as being a successful member of a family.

1. Be sure that when you talk to your children they are giving you their full attention and when your children talk to you, do the same.

2. Make your children responsible for cleaning up their own messes. Encourage them to clean up as they go along so that clean up is not overwhelming.

3. Help your children to learn to take turns by explaining to them that they will sometimes have to wait for your attention until you have finished what you are doing.

4. Help your children to understand that others have feelings too by stressing that they talk through problems with friends and siblings, allowing each child to have the chance to express him or herself.

5. Talk to your children about the importance of school and the learning process and encourage them to always take the time to do the best work.

6. When your children bring work home from school, ask them to tell you about it and make genuine comments on the work. Try to avoid just responding with the old standby, "nice."

7. When time permits, encourage your children to be a part of the decision-making process. Children should also be encouraged to "entertain" themselves by making choices from available activities at home.

8. Help your children to develop an interest in reading books by shutting off the TV., videos, and video games and spending the time sharing a good book as often as possible.

9. Never miss an opportunity to give your children a pat on the back for a job well done. Recognizing your children's efforts and encouraging them to put forth the extra effort will really pay off in the long run.

10. Always keep the communication lines open to the school by contacting teachers with concerns. By: Patricia A. Griffin