Experienced hikers know that selecting a good trail during the height of the season is only the beginning of their adventure. They must bring and use the right equipment.

They also need to read the trail signs to make adjustments, deal with unexpected problems, look for unexpected opportunities and, most of all, enjoy the process and not just race through to get to the end of the trail.

The first step of the school adventure is for parents to choose the right school for their child. But that's only the beginning of the learning adventure. No matter what kind of school you choose, it's up to parents to help their child learn the secrets to school success.

In our book, "Secrets to School Success: Guiding Your Child Through a Joyous Learning Experience," we give parents some insider tips to what makes a successful learner. You can begin today by putting into practice just a few of these tips. 

Communicate Well and Often

Communicating openly with your child and your child's teachers is vital. Parent- teacher conferences provide valuable information for you and identify the needs of your child. Try to include your child in at least part of the conference with the teacher.

Prepare ahead for the conference. Ask questions of your child to help you measure her progress at school. Learn how to schedule a conference and what to ask. Plan a written list of your questions and concerns.

Gather information about your child's strengths and weaknesses from the teacher, and share your observations as well. Plan an intervention for areas of weakness.

To ensure a successful conference:

  • Be direct, clear and specific.
  • Ask for a time-line indicating when educational services will be provided.
  • Present your concerns factually and objectively.
  • Express your feelings without accusing others.
  • Avoid questions that evoke defensive answers.
  • If you do not fully understand an answer, ask the teacher to explain it differently.
  • End the meeting by planning solutions. 

Know Your Child

Accurately assessing your child's potential and performance is key to identifying learning differences and improving your child's school experience. Assessments can be provided in a number of ways: using standardized tests, talking with the teacher, or simply watching your child compared to other children doing the same tasks.

The purpose of assessment is to show teachers which strategies will help your child progress. Use your parent power to ensure that the school provides all needed services.

Good schools use assessment as a guide to help teachers build on each child's identified strengths and to make continuing adjustments to help reach his or her potential. Your input can help schools nurture all your child's potential skills, even those that are hard to recognize at first. 

Solve Problems Together

Your child will gain confidence when he or she learns to apply problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and conflict resolution, both in school and on the playground. Children look to parents to help teach and guide them throughout this process.Offer assistance when you see your child struggling to apply critical reasoning skills in approaching a school problem.

For example, when a problem arises, teach your child to ask and answer the three critical problem solving questions:

1.   What happened?

2.   How do you feel or think about it?

3.   What is your plan to make it better? 

Make Time and Homework Count

Homework is a great way to find out what your child is expected to learn and what is happening in the classroom. A student who does homework without assistance learns independence and gains the satisfaction of accomplishment.

However, parents need to recognize and answer a cry for help from a child who is unable to handle all her homework alone. When necessary, enlist the help of a parent, tutor or classmate to guide and assist with homework. A child left alone to founder will fail to learn, causing further delays, a poor school attitude and low self-esteem.

Start by helping your child break down each homework task into its smallest possible steps. Completing each step builds a sense of achievement and independence.

Create a visual map of the week to allow your child to develop a sense of organization and time management. Use calendars, student daily planners, a corkboard with 3 by 5 file cards or a wipe-off board. Help your child create a checklist of what needs to be done as part of large homework projects.

Watch out when your child leaves the finished homework assignment home; sometimes it signals more than just forgetfulness. This may be a sign of some difficulty at school that needs to be addressed. 

Build Social Skills

The most important secret to school success is teaching your child to have his or her own voice, and to be able to use that voice effectively to develop three areas: learning how to learn; growing to love learning; and getting along well with classmates, friends, teachers and family.

A child needs social skills in order to make and enjoy friendships. School based relationships provide all sorts of opportunities to stretch and challenge your child to grow.

Facing a troubling social situation can unnerve a child. Bullies use aggressive and intimidating tactics to exert their will. Help your child understand different types of bullies, how to stand up to them and when to walk away. There are circumstances when parents or teachers should intervene. There are situations children can handle themselves. Learn to know the difference.

Nurture your child into developing his or her own voice, confidence, motivation and independence. This path will lead you to understanding the secrets to school success and help your child have a joyous learning experience. 

Dr. Brandi Roth is a psychologist in private practice in Beverly Hills, California. She and Dr. Fay Van Der Kar Levinson wrote "Choosing the Right School for Your Child."