As parents, we all want our children to do well at school but are often intimidated by the education system. Often parents can do a lot more then they realise. Always remember that the parent is the first and most powerful teacher of all.

Parental support is crucial to success. With a little extra effort we are able to enrich a childs learning experience. There are countless fun activities that compliment what they learn at school. Remember the foundation of learning should be in the home.

You can make a difference. It could be as simple as asking your child to help with the weekly shopping, design a card for a friend or read a leaflet for you. Remember a trip out, be it to a museum or the local park, brings new experiences and ideas.

Try to understand how your child learns. How they intake, retain, recall and apply information. There are different techniques that are suited to different people.

An example is the re-capping method. When your child reads something, after three minutes they have forgotten 50%. However if they re-read it again the next day, after a week, one month and three months, then they will retain 90% of the information.

Have lots of books in your home, they will open your childs mind to new ideas.

Music also harmonises the brain. Try to listen to different types together: pop, jazz, traditional, or classical. Maybe have an occasional sing-song and see if your child can remember the lyrics.

Our children live in a different world to the one we grew up in, and they must be able to succeed in their environment. Education is a tool of empowerment.

Nowadays it is important to monitor your childs use of computers and other multi-media, but remember it can also be a powerful learning tool. Again if you work together to find information on the internet or even play games, then the experience is enriched.

As your child grows encourage age-relevant skills and knowledge, and ensure they know that you are supporting them.

An important lesson for your children is financial literacy. Teach them how to budget and explain about targeted advertising and other temptations.

Your child needs to know about self-esteem, self-image and self-knowledge how you feel about yourself, how you see yourself, what you know about yourself. These things shape us all. We need to enhance how our children feel about themselves, to erase any self-doubt.

If you keep telling a child they are foolish and stupid they will believe that. If you keep telling them that he or she is a genius they will believe that too.

The effects of high self-esteem are very important for a child. They are much healthier and are more motivated to learn. Children spend many hours outside of the home - in schools or out with friends.

Help them understand how their friends affect them. Peer relationship can be negative or extremely positive. Mixing with the right crowd can help a child succeed.

Teach your child to communicate effectively, both verbally and with body language. Simple techniques such as taking a deep breathe and waiting, instead of interrupting or arguing can diffuse many conflict situations.

As parents we must not undermine our children. We must not narrow their scope of opportunities. Young people need to be open to all possibilities.

Look at your childs life through their eyes. We need to understand their world to understand who they are."