Resources for Parents

These resources help explain the standards for what your child should know and be able to do while reading literature and nonfiction (informational) texts, writing about and discussing what he or she has read. These flyers offer suggestions for how you might support your child’s learning at home.

• Grades K-2: Reading English | Spanish
• Grades K-2: Language, Writing, and Speaking & Listening English | Spanish
• Grades 3-5: Reading English | Spanish
• Grades 3-5: Language, Writing, and Speaking & Listening English | Spanish
• Grades 6-8: Reading & Writing English | Spanish
• Grades 6-8: Language and Speaking & Listening English | Spanish

These resources help explain the standards (or expectations) for what your child should know and be able to do while reading literature and nonfiction (informational) texts, and then writing about and discussing what he or she has read. Students will use these reading, writing, speaking and listening skills throughout the school day and across content areas. The suggestions for how you can help are examples of ways in which you might support your child’s learning at home. Also included are the links to helpful websites where you can find more information and resources, including videos, about the standards.

• Tips for Elementary School Parents (grades K-2)
• Tips for Elementary School Parents (grades 3-5)
• Tips for Middle School Parents

This section of the Transitioning to Kindergarten Toolkit guides you through the process of sharing what you know about your child with the kindergarten teacher who will be working with your child in the new school year. It gives you the opportunity to pass on important information about your child's likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses and any concerns that you may have. If your child is receiving any special services, the information that you provide here can help to ensure that those services continue without gaps into the new school year. Also included are 36 engaging, skill-building activities for you to try at home. Also available in Spanish. (2014)

This series of booklets, co-published with the U.S. Department of Education, includes practical suggestions and activities parents can use at home with their children to help them succeed in school. The booklets are ideal for distributing at parent-teacher conferences, open houses, back-to-school nights, and other events that attract a lot of parents. Single copy $1; 65 cents each for orders of 10 or more with further discounts available to affiliates ordering in bulk.

• Helping Your Child Become a Reader (2003; reprinted Oct. 2008)
• Helping Your Preschool Child (2003). Available in English and Spanish
• Cómo ayudar a su hijo durante los primeros años de la adolescencia (Helping Your Adolescent Child) (2003). Only available in Spanish.
• Comó ayudar a su hijo a tener éxito en la escuela (Helping Your Child Succeed in School) (2003). Only available in Spanish.

The following booklets are not available for download, but may be ordered by sending a check payable to American Federation of Teachers to: AFT Order Department, 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001. Shipping and handling costs are included.

• Cómo ayudar a sus hijos a usar la biblioteca (Helping Your Child Use the Library) (1993). 27 pages. Item no. 39-0355.
• Helping Your Child Learn Responsible Behavior (1993). 44 pages. Item no. 39-0352.
• Helping Your Child Learn Science (1992). 58 pages. Item no. 39-0354.

Just Ask! is part of AFT’s Faculty and College Excellence (FACE) campaign to address the academic staffing crisis in higher education. The Just Ask! program targets parents and students who are in the process of choosing a college or university. As part of their decision-making process we recommend asking four questions about who is teaching undergraduate classes at an institution and how well those faculty members are treated. (March 2009)

Reading, and a love for reading, begins at home and research has shown that children who have a solid foundation in their first language have an easier time learning to read in English. These one-page reading tip sheets offer easy ways for parents to help their children become successful readers—even if parents don't speak English! (April 2007).

• Tips for parents of Preschoolers English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of Kindergartners English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of First Graders English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of Second Graders English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of Third Graders English | Spanish

English | Spanish
This brochure provides handy information to parents on the key issues affecting schools and their children's education, the main roles and responsibilities of the school system's various components, and helpful academic tips in each core academic subject for every grade from prekindergarten through grade 12. (February 2007)