Interact with the work that comes home from school. I like to circle my favorite part of what they have done. It may be a really good letter or a really great sentence or a point they’ve made in a paper. Some kids won’t want you to touch their work with a pen, but they will still like your praise as you point out their efforts. Don’t just glance. Really engage your child in the work they are bringing home from school. Try and keep it positive. If you feel like your child is scribbling and not doing careful work, point out he parts that are within the lines or more solidly colored in. For example, with the apple in the above picture, I’d pick out the positive. I’d say, “It really looks like you took your time at the top of the apple. I love how you colored it in solid and tried to stay within the lines. Great work.” You’ll get better results when you praise their efforts rather than criticize. There is a time for constructive criticism, but try and keep in more positive as they are establishing their sense of self.
