1. Start Right Off
Let your child know from the beginning that his success in school is important to you. Make sure he forms his work habits correctly.

2. Regular Homework Periods
Every child needs a routine. Designate a specific time each day when homework is to be completed.

3. Meet the Teacher
Soon after the school year begins, meet the teacher. Ask about the homework policy and tell the teacher any special concerns or problems your child may have.

4. Don't Become a Pawn
Children become remarkably adept at maneuvering parents and teachers against one another. If you have a question or complaint, call the teacher.

5. Value and Praise Work
Praise the projects your children do. Put the best paper on the refrigerator. What you value, your child will value too.

6. Build responsibility
The child with a sloopy desk at school generally has a pigpen for a bedroom. Create a system of rewards and punishments for keeping a bedroom in order and for other chores around the house. Allowance money should be based on chores completed and not for just breathing.

7. Control the Television set
The inferior and inappropriate nature of most programmingis destructive to your child's creative processes. Monitor what your child watches and limit the time spent in front of the TV to no more than one hour each day.

8. High Expectations
Doing work correctly and neatly is a value that will serve your child well in school and later in the work place. Children should aim for the best grades they can achieve. Don't accept less.

9. Be realistic
If you expect your son to become a doctor when he is interested in rebuilding car engines, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Be proud of your child's skills, whatever they are.

10. Encourage interest outside school
Whatever your child's interests - piano lessons, ballet, soccer, stamp collecting - encourage him to pursue them.

11. Working for Money
Having a job or doing chores to do is an important part of growing up process and helps a child to feel better about himself.

12. Communicate
Children need to share the problems and joys of the day through small talk. They often seek afformation that you truly care about them and that your values are what you say they are. Care enough to talk calmly about what you think and then listen to your child.

No parent ever feels successful all the time. But you can limit your frustrations and profoundly influence your child's school success by involving yourself in all areas of his life. So, start right now by building a climate of success in your home.