Ten Ways Parents Can Maximize their Child's Learning Potential at MCH

1. Feed your child's learning brain. Provide solid "brain food" nutrition throughout your child's day. Fruit in the morning, more proteins and veggies, less processed "fast" non-foods and empty calories. Liquids between meals.

2. Be on time. Show that you value your child's learning time. Allow child AM transition time with friends [8:45 to 9:15], through natural stages, into concentrated work. Show respect for the class in session by not interrupting[after 9:15 or before 3:00]

3. Do the Family Homework, together. MCH Family Homework is provided as one way for you to work with your child, to gain insight into some concepts your child is working with at school. Spending a little time over the weekend reinforces the learning link between home and school. [Ask for help as needed!] Note: children are acknowledged for homework returned.

4. Read. Read. Read. Read with your child. Read to your child. Model reading for your child. Read daily! Go to the library and the book store with your child. Borrow books from school. Encourage a life-long love of reading.

5. Listen. Give your child a minimum of ten minutes a day of just plain listening, attending, with direct eye contact and presence, to whatever comes up.

6. Play. Encourage your child's imagination ["What if..?" and "I wonder..".] Act out favorite stories. Take family field trips, into natural settings. See the world again through your child's eyes.

7. Participate. Visit the classroom with your child every few weeks, after school. Come to the Parents' Meetings and ICPS / Parenting classes. Communicate ASAP any questions, concerns or suggestions.

8. Minimize television viewing. "How the world is presented and re-presented to the child physically affects the child's developing brain."

9. Buy commercial-free clothing [& school slippers]. Let us resist turning our children into media-driven consumers. Help your child focus on the learning environment.

10. Model respect for the child and all of life. "We become what we love." Model being the kind of individual you would want your child to become.

Ask your child's teacher how you can incorporate some "Montessori ways" for organizing your home environment, to maximize your child's learning.