Parents can help students start off the school year right by engaging kids' minds at home.
Regardless of income or degrees, educators say, all parents can lay the educational foundation, give pep talks and resurrect routine in their households as the school year begins anew. Connie Blackburn, a kindergarten teacher at Central School in Escondido, said parents must teach their children to listen, follow directions and abide by rules. What parents can do Take your kids to the library. Get your children to bed at a decent hour on school nights. Make sure they eat breakfast, and provide lunch.