How to Supplement Your Child's Education

Supplementing your child's education at home gives you a chance to expand on the concepts he learns at school. At home, your child is the only student and you can take this opportunity to tailor learning to meet his needs in creative ways. You could turn almost any activity into a learning experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Books

Instructions

    • 1

      Read as a family every day. Choose a variety of books, including fiction and non-fiction for variety. Get a library card for your child when she's old enough. Reading together builds literacy skills, which benefits her in all other subjects. She also gets to learn about new ideas and information.

    • 2

      Communicate with your child's teacher to learn about the topics and skills taught in school. Use those topics to plan enrichment activities that complement the school work. For example, if your second grader is studying different types of communities, explore local areas so she can see rural, urban and suburban areas in person.

    • 3

      Watch your child as she works on her homework. Note when she seems to have difficulty. Find out which concepts or skills may be challenging for her. Go beyond regular homework assignments and work on those concepts with additional activities. If your second grader has difficulty telling time, for example, give her practice with clocks at home.

    • 4

      Visit local educational spots, such as museums, science centers, historical sites and monuments. Explore the information provided at the destinations. Read the information signs about the animals at the zoo instead of just looking at the animals, for example. Ask your child questions about what she has seen and read.

    • 5

      Enroll your child in classes and programs offered by local organizations and attractions, such as the library, science museum or zoo. These places usually offer educational classes in an entertaining format. The zoo might offer a class on animal behavior, for example.

    • 6

      Teach your child as situations arise. Learn about spiders by watching one spin a web outside your house. Explain how icicles form when you see one hanging from the roof. Compare different leaves you find on an autumn walk around the neighborhood. Taking advantage of those moments helps build your child's personal experiences outside of the classroom.

    • 7

      Ask your child about school and what she is learning. Encourage her to ask you questions about things that interest her. Avoid the temptation to brush off your child's questions even if she asks a lot.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • 9 Things This Pediatrician Wishes Youd Stop Doing—Now
      Parenting doesnt come with a handbook, so unsuspecting moms and dads are left to figure out a lot on their own. Our go-to sources of advice—friends, the internet, our own parents—might not have the most reliable, up-to-date info. Then when w
    • Does TV Affect Kids' Schoolwork?
      Television plays a big role in the lives of most children. They start watching TV in the morning when they wake up, rush home from school to view a favorite program and often go to sleep with the TV playing. According to the University of Michigan He
    • How to Resolve Arguing Between Your Kids
      As a parent of more than one child, youre used to battles. You watch as your children fight over toys, struggle for your attention or tease each other. While arguments between your kids are a seemingly inevitable part of family life, your disciplinar