If your child is in kindergarten, this is the time to get involved in your child's education.  We want to see you at your school.  We hope you will ask questions.  We are ready to be your partner in your child's education.  Please do not ever hesitate to call, email or visit your child's school if you have questions or concerns.  Let us know if we are not family-friendly and tell us how you think we can do a better job.  This is your school.

Build your children's self-esteem. Listen to what they have to say and praise them for the things they do well.

Encourage your children to talk about their feelings, accomplishments and problems.

Be a positive role model. Teach them right from wrong at an early age.

Tell your children it's okay to make mistakes as long as they learn from them.

Allow your children to see you read every day - the newspaper, magazines, and books. Read aloud and talk about what you are reading.

Show an interest in your children's school activities by getting to know their teachers, school staff and by helping them with homework.

Attend school events that are held both during the school day and during after school hours.

Take your children to museums, the library and other free educational and cultural events whenever possible.

Talk to your child's teacher about his or progress.

Join the school PTO.

Ask how you can volunteer at your children's school.

Read to and with your child.

Read storybooks full of action and adventure·

Let your child choose the story. Retell parts, repeat silly rhymes or big words.

Write shopping lists.

Let your child make their own books, takes messages, and sign their artwork.

Use magnetic refrigerator letters, posters, newspapers and magazines.

Read words on t-shirts and cereal boxes.

Play with educational toys.

Tell stories. It's a fun way to teach values, pass on family history, and build your child's listening and thinking skills.

Make sure your child has plenty to read. Find books about their interests.

Help your child build a personal library. Give books as gifts and rewards.

Check on your child's progress. Listen to your child read. Read what they write. Talk to their teachers.

Visit the local library.

In addition to home and school, your community has another major educational resource: the public library.

It's no secret that children who grow up with a love of books will be more successful in school. Libraries are repositories of knowledge and adventure that can be a valuable partner in your family’s quest to become lifelong learners. Here are some ways you can take advantage of your local public library.

Get a library card - for both you and your child!

Instead of watching TV, visit the library - at least once a week.

Investigate the possibilities at your library. They have books, magazines, educational games, books-on-cassette, videotapes, records, CDs, cassettes, DVD's and free access to the Internet.

Talk about your visit to the library before you go. Discuss how important it is to take good care of the books and other materials you borrow from the library and why it is necessary to bring them back on time.

Take advantage of free activities and programs that libraries offer for children and families. These can include book clubs, story times, family films and lectures and special exhibits.

If your children express interest in something - like flowers, a puppy, frogs etc. - go to the library to learn more.

Encourage children to read the book before seeing the movie.

Do research for yourself on parenting, home maintenance, time management, stress reduction, career improvement, hobbies, health, etc. Tell your child how you are using the library resources to learn more.

Schenectady Library locations and hours are located here.

Encourage your child to tell his or her teacher and classmates about your visits to the library and all the wonderful information that is available,