Provided are a Deputy Headmaster's practical directions to parents on ways they can use to help their children acquire basic skills and to respond effectively to other aspects of schooling. Initial discussion concerns the parent's role in education and parent-teacher contact. General principles parents should keep in mind are then listed, as are more specific guidelines for parents to observe in educating younger and older children. Subsequent sections provide numerous guidelines indicating ways in which parents can help children read, talk, develop as good writers, and acquire mathematics skills. Answers are provided to such frequently asked questions as: (1) How can I get my child to do homework? (2) Would my child benefit from supplemental learning activities? (3) Should my child repeat a grade? (4) How can I help my child to listen better? (5) Why aren't all the best children of one grade put in one class? (6) How can I improve my child's low opinion of himself or herself? and (7) Is discipline still regarded as important? An extensive home checklist of practical skills that children need is included. (RH)