Following are five important areas to emphasize to ensure the success of your children:

·         Establish a daily routine by providing a quiet time and place for your children to study. Be firm about bedtimes so the child is well-rested and alert in the classroom. Having dinner together as a family is also important, because it gives you an opportunity to talk about your children’s daily school activities, projects, and expectations. Encourage communications through conversation and questioning.

·         Monitor your children’s extracurricular activities closely. Whenever possible, arrange specific after-school activities or supervised care, always monitor television watching, and install computer software to block inappropriate websites. Also be mindful of video game content. If you can’t be home right after school, call or email frequently to check in with your children, or have a trusted neighbor, relative, or friend stop by. Search out after-school programs and association activities that could serve as alternatives for children going home alone after school.

·         Reading books, magazines, and newspapers and talking about what is learned from them is another important aspect to pursue at home. Discussing current events and/or the day’s activities is a good habit to develop. Tell stories, share problems, and write letters, notes, and messages to one another. These types of communication bring families closer together, especially today, when everyone is busy with his or her own individual activities and commitments.

·         Stay in touch with teachers and school staff, and express sincere interest in your children’s progress at school. Work together with your children’s teachers to set age-appropriate goals and standards, and to recognize and promote special talents. Compliment your children and share school success stories with family and friends.

·         Be a positive role model. Demonstrate ways that achievement relates to hard work and dedication. Discuss the value of a good education to possible career options, and explore ways your children can turn their true interests into satisfying career possibilities.

·         Buy in bulk. Don’t buy 10 one-pound bags of coffee if you can purchase one 10-pound bag. Buying in bulk reduces waste in the form of energy required to transport goods, and it cuts the amount of packaging to throw away. You’ll save on the price per pound, too.

·         Compact your garbage. Break down boxes so they take less space in dumpsters and recycling bins. You’ll be able to reduce the number of trips needed to transport discarded items to their final destination.

·         Take a cool approach. Keep windows open so you can take advantage of breezes and seasonal temperatures. Use fans instead of air conditioning as much as possible during warm weather.

·         Be smart with paper. Photocopy on both sides, particularly for internal documents and drafts. Buy lightweight paper that eats up less energy in shipping. Choose recycled paper, and recycle the paper you use.

·         Control energy use. Install thermostats that can be programmed to heat and cool your home at specific times of day. Motion detectors and timers can instruct lights to shut off when a room is empty. Unplug equipment and appliances when they’re not being used to keep power usage to a minimum. Maintain your heating and air conditioning systems annually to keep them running efficiently.

·         Buy efficient computers. Laptop computers are built to run on less power, and many laptops offer all the features of a desktop computer. Their portability also makes telecommuting easier.

·         Watch your light. Blinds or shades on your windows can make a difference in how much light, heat, and air conditioning you need. Energy-efficient light bulbs manage your electricity use more effectively. Consider putting in skylights for more natural lighting.

·        Eat less. The average American consumes 3,747 calories daily—1,200 to 1,500 more than recommended. American diets tend to be high in animal products and highly processed foods, which are high in calories and require a lot of energy to produce. By reducing the amount of junk food and animal products consumed, we could have a huge impact on fuel consumption—while improving our health.

·        Buy organic. Current farming methods are energy-intensive. Organic farming improves energy efficiency by using fewer pesticides, more manure, and crop rotations.

·        Buy locally. Food travels an average of 1,491 miles in the United States before it is consumed.--Pimentel, D., Williamson, S., Alexander, C., Gonzalez-Pagan, O., Kontak, C., & Mulkey, S. (2008, August). Reducing energy inputs in the US food system. Human Ecology, 36(4). Springer Netherlands.

            Sometimes children feel that review work is very easy for them, and they whiz through the assignment, making careless mistakes as they go.  If you feel that your child needs to slow down and take more time to do his or her work correctly, try the check system. 

            First, demonstrate to your child how to revisit the work and check it for accuracy.  Then, establish a system of private communication for yourself and your child.  Ask your child to put a small check mark on the bottom of each paper he or she “double-checks.”  As your child becomes more accountable for careful work, reinforce his or her good efforts.  Explain that it is not necessary to be perfect, but doing one’s best does involve careful attention to schoolwork.*