We all want your child to do well in school. His success in school is directly tied to his success in life. So what can you do as a parent to help him do well?

The goal for you is not to turn your child into a great learner by taking over his responsibilities for school. But your goal should be to help him develop the skills he naturally has.

You also can help him be excited about learning, wanting to learn more, being able to ask good questions, participating in discussions and knowing how to be cooperative and responsible. All of these things certainly begin at home.

Your job also is to enjoy this child. No matter what grade he is beginning in school, your place in his life remains very important. He still needs you to be there for the hugs and for the praise for a job well done. He still needs you to be excited about the little accomplishments. He still wants you to cuddle him at night and read him a story and if he is too old for that, ask him about the book he is reading.

He really isn’t going to remember all of the things you “taught” him but he is going to remember the loving times together. He needs to feel your interest in what he is learning. It is great if he is on the football team or the cross country team but it also is great if he is learning something exciting in science or history.

Let him know you are interested in all areas of his life.

By the time your child is in middle school, you probably know a lot about his study habits. If he continues to improve his study habits, he will become a better student.

But what can a parent do? Actually, you can do quite a bit that will help.

• Plan a schedule together that includes study time.

• Have a place for him to study that isn’t close to the television or other distractions.

• Pick a study time when friends’ phone calls or chores will not interrupt.

• Have breaks in the study time for snacks and a change of pace.

• Help your child learn to break down large assignments into smaller more manageable pieces.

• Make sure there is a good place to study with good lighting, a quiet room and a comfortable chair.

• Encourage him whenever possible. We all need encouragement.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com or at 681-2250.