A little planning and encouragement goes a long way toward helping your child look upon school as a stimulating, satisfying experience.

The following pointers can be helpful in promoting good attitudes and practices in your child.

• Help your child unwind once the school day is over
  
  Give your child focused attention every day. Talk about the school experience. Listen for underlying feelings of anger or fear along with the positive feelings of excitement and satisfaction.
  
  Because your child's time at school is quite structured, plan time for unstructured activities once school is through for the day. Allow your child to let off steam through active outdoor play or sports.
  
  While one or two after-school commitments like piano or soccer lessons are beneficial, be careful not to over-program your child. The inevitable result is stress-overload--for you as well as your child.
  
  
• Help your child get organized
  
  Arrange study space. Reserve one corner somewhere in your home for your child's quiet concentration. Provide a table or desk, good lighting, reference materials and school supplies. If possible, keep the study area far from tempting distractions like a television set.
  
  Plan for the next day. Help your child get into the habit of organizing such things as clothing, lunch money, permission slips and homework the night before. Nerves are bound to be less frazzled in the morning.
  
  Note important dates. Buy a giant wall calendar with large boxes. If your youngster is too young to read or write, draw pictures symbolizing important school activities. Help an older child jot down dates of exams, reports, field trips, after-school events and other upcoming commitments.
  
  
• Establish a regular homework routine
  
  Daily attention to school work for short periods of time is superior to night-before panic and agony over a project or examination. While maintaining some flexibility, set a fixed time each afternoon or evening for school assignments. Your child's homework schedule should be in accord with other extracurricular activities. Depending on age, 15 minutes to an hour before or after dinner is usually sufficient.
  
  
• Be available to encourage your child
  
  Show your child you are interested by being consistently available at predictable times each day. Do not, however, play the role of teacher by attempting to teach your child specific skills. Your time together is apt to be frustrating. If your child is having problems with a certain subject, talk to the teacher about supplementary activities you could do together at home as well as tutoring or other special attention at school.
  
  In addition, do not attempt to protect your child from negative consequences by actually doing the homework assignment yourself. This will seriously detract from your child's confidence to cope successfully with future school demands.
  
  
• Display a love of learning at home
  
  To fuel your child's natural interest and curiosity, celebrate learning. Ask questions, exchange ideas and allow your child to arrive at personal conclusions. Provide a home environment rich in books, games and projects. Complement your child's school experiences with excursions for the entire family. Above all, let your child see you enjoying new challenges and activities.
  
  
• Become involved in your child's school
  
  By joining a parent-teacher organization or volunteering your time, you share more of your child's world. You are also in a better position to understand and make suggestions for improvement.
  
  

Written by Donna Warner Manczak, Ph.D., M.P.H.