Involved parents make a big, positive difference in children’s education. If you want to make homework work for your family, here are some ideas from MVParents.com of what you can do, organized by age.

For parents with children ages birth to 5

At this age, the best things you can do to support your children’s learning and readiness for school are to read, read, read to them and help them safely discover and explore the world.

Some preschoolers, especially those with older siblings, may be excited by the idea of doing homework. Consider asking a preschool teacher to send home simple worksheets, or make or buy your children age-appropriate workbooks (in bookstores, toy stores, or at the magazine stand). Don’t worry about whether the work is completed; keep it fun and make it part of the game of “school.”