1. Fill your child’s world with reading.

Take turns reading with your older child, or establish a family reading time when everyone reads his/her own book. Demonstrate how important reading is to you by filling your home with printed materials: novels, newspapers, even posters and placemats with words on them.

2. Encourage him/her to express his opinion, talk about his feelings, and make choices.

He/she can pick out a side dish to go with dinner and select his/her own extracurricular activities. Ask for his/her input on family decisions, and show that you value it.

3. Show enthusiasm for your child's interests and encourage him/her to explore subjects that fascinate him/her.

If he/she's a horse nut, offer him/her stories about riding or challenge him/her to find five facts about horses in the encyclopedia.

4. Provide him/her with play opportunities that support different kinds of learning styles — from listening and visual learning to sorting and sequencing.

Supplies that encourage open-ended play, such as blocks, will develop your child’s creative expression and problem-solving skills as he/she builds. They'll need lots of unstructured play time to explore them.

5. Point out the new things you learn with enthusiasm.

Discuss the different ways you find new information, whether you're looking for gardening tips on the Internet or taking a night class in American literature.

6. Ask about what he/she's learning in school, not about his/her grades or test scores.

Have him/her teach you what he/she learned in school today — putting the lesson into his/her own words will help him/her retain what he/she learned.

7. Help your child organize his/her school papers and assignments so he/she feels in control of his/her work

If his/her task seems too daunting, he/she'll spend more time worrying than learning. Check in with him/her regularly to make sure he/she's not feeling overloaded.

8. Celebrate achievements, no matter how small.

Completing a book report calls for a special treat; finishing a book allows your child an hour of video games. You'll offer positive reinforcement that will inspire him/her to keep learning and challenging himself/herself.

9. Focus on strengths, encouraging developing talents

Even if she/he didn't ace his/her math test, he/she may have written a good poem in English class. In addition to a workbook for math practice, give him/her a writing journal.

10. Turn everyday events into learning opportunities.

Encourage him/her to explore the world around him/her, asking questions and making connections.