But students spend most of their time in class listening to the teacher. To do better in school, they need to listen better.

To help your child become a better listener:

• Ask, “What’s the key idea?” Good listeners remember the most important ideas. After your child finishes reading or listening to something, see if he can tell you what the key ideas are. Encourage him to do the same thing when he listens to lectures in class.

• Paraphrase during dinner. As you eat, take turns describing something that happened during the day. Or share something you learned from the news. The next person to speak must correctly restate what the previous speaker said before he can tell his experience or share his news.

• Help your child make one-fact note cards. Read aloud a paragraph or section from your child’s textbook. Ask him to write on an index card one important idea or fact he heard. As he learns to tune in to main ideas, he creates flash cards of facts to review for tests.

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