In this article, the author shares the story about her son who has advanced intellectual ability and how she used science to motivate him. She says for advanced learners, the study of science encourages them to ask those deep questions without feeling as though they are out of step with their peers. Parents can support their children's natural…

In today's high-tech world, math and science matter. Of the 10 fastest growing occupations, eight are science, math or technology-related. Whatever a child wants to do--join the military, join the workforce, or go on to college--math and science skills will be important. Become part of the equation to help one's child succeed now and in the…

Self-determination theory identifies three dimensions of parenting--autonomy support versus control, involvement, and structure--as facilitating children's autonomous motivation in school. Research involving children of a range of ages--one-year-olds through adolescents--and from a variety of research labs supports this theory. This work is…

Suggestions are presented for parents who wish to build reading habits in their young children. Several books for beginning readers, first-grade readers, and second-grade readers are suggested. (CB)

Suggestions are provided for parents of ways in which they can use the television to encourage and improve their child's reading. Activities include: discussing television characters; watching television specials geared for the child's age; and researching favorite television stars. (CB)

Parents play a critical role in the development of children's writing skills. Parents can help young students become writers by understanding how writing evolves, providing students with many opportunities for writing, modeling writing for the students, and providing a variety of materials for writing at home. (SM)

The best help parents can offer students with their homework is instituting a formal study program. Rather than assisting with reading, writing, and arithmetic, parents should spend more time teaching students to organize, budget time, plan ahead, concentrate, handle responsibility, and solve problems. (SM)

This booklet provides a general blueprint to guide the overall process of teaching a student to be motivated to achieve and offers specific ideas for those concerned with promoting self-motivated behavior among students. Part one discusses teaching and learning self-motivation concepts and principles. These topics are covered: motivation as a…

Suggestions are offered for parents who wish to support their gifted children's writing. Parents should write themselves and share their writing with their children. Parents should encourage children to write abundantly to promote children's interest and confidence. Parents should not correct or comment on their children's writing unless asked for…

U.S. educators recognize that the study of history is a vital part of a child's overall education and that parents are in the best position to encourage their children's natural interest in history. This booklet is designed as a tool for parents to use in stimulating their children's interest in and knowledge about history. The booklet includes:…

This review of research on motivation and self-perception in gifted students looks at the interaction of motivation with self-perception; effective practices in classrooms and homes for developing children's potential, motivation, and self-esteem; and implications for teachers and parents of gifted and talented children. (DB)

This book of games for children from kindergarten to third grade offers parents ways to help their children become skilled and enthusiastic writers. The book provides instructions for parents to direct their children in easy-to-play educationally useful games, most requiring few or no materials. The book includes such activities as having children…

A SMART Learner is a lifelong learner who can adapt to rapid change and who possesses characteristics associated with success in and out of school. These workshop materials to help parents help their children become SMART learners provide: information from current research and best practice; learning activities that will actively engage parents in…

This manual is a resource book for organizers and leaders and parent groups who want to explore specific strategies to use in motivating children to become better learners. The guide contains material necessary to conduct a 1- or 1.5-hour session on motivational techniques that parents can use at home with children. The guide includes: (1) a…

This manual is a resource book for organizers and leaders and parent groups who want to explore specific strategies to use in helping children with home learning. The guide contains material necessary to conduct a 1- or 1.5-hour session on how parents can encourage and support children's efforts toward home learning. The guide includes: (1) a…