Supporting your child’s education is one of your most important responsibilities as a parent. By cultivating a love of learning and knowledge at a young age, you put your child on a path to success so they can open doors on endless future opportunities.

Military OneSource can help you build a strong foundation of learning for your child. This includes building a relationship with your child’s school and tapping into the support and resources of your military community – all to help you help your child succeed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how children learn as well as the interaction between families and their schools, at least for the time being. But there are resources available to help you and your child navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic. These include strategies on how to nurture learning from home as well as some learning materials you can tap into.

Support your child’s education with these five steps:

1. Start learning young.

Starting early means laying a foundation for lifelong learning and success in school. This can happen at home or in a child development center. The Department of Defense developed Early Learning Matters curriculum to give military children a strong foundation by promoting skills linked to school readiness, well-being and life success. If you are stationed overseas, Sure Start – a Department of Defense Education Activity program – is open to command-sponsored military children who meet specific age requirements and other criteria. You can also take advantage of Thrive, a free online parenting program. The on-demand courses promote positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices. Find out how Thrive can help you raise healthy, resilient children from birth to 18.

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2. Connect with your child’s school.

Your relationship with the school demonstrates to your child and the school’s staff the importance you attach to education. Even if you relocate often or are temporarily deployed, you can build a relationship with the school by meeting the teacher, volunteering, attending school events or joining a parent group.

Keep in mind that how you engage with your child’s school may require different strategies during the pandemic, including meeting with teachers and other parents online and attending meetings virtually, or practicing social distancing and following other safety protocols when attending events.

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3. Nurture learning at home.

Learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. A child absorbs as much or more at home and through his or her experiences as through a textbook. To encourage learning at home, establish a routine to keep children on schedule with their homework and provide plenty of praise for a job well done. This has never been more relevant than during the pandemic. Take advantage of available resources to help with schooling at home. And look for additional opportunities to foster learning during activities such as cooking, gardening and food shopping. They present opportunities to strengthen skills such as science, math and reading.

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4. Use your MWR Digital Library’s learning resources.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library is another resource to supplement classroom learning. Use its expansive, personalized and interactive resources to:

  • Gain access to tutors and connect your military child or teen with live online help in a variety of subjects.
  • Access video storybooks, audiobooks, eLearning tutorials and reading materials for virtually all areas of learning. You can also find practice exams and other information to help students prepare for college.

In addition, the MWR Summer Reading Program is a great resource to help families bridge the summer learning gap.

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5. Reach out to experts when it’s time to move.

The school liaison program, resources and partnerships help military children thrive academically, socially and emotionally, regardless of duty station, deployments or transition status. To learn more about the school liaison program, contact your installation school liaison office. For your installation’s school liaison office phone number and email address, visit the Department of Defense Education Activity website.

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Support your child’s education

Supporting your child’s education requires time, commitment and the right information. Education consultants can assist you with questions. These one-on-one sessions are free and confidential. The consultants can provide you with referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in your area, as well as public and private school information. Call 800-342-9647 at any time to schedule an appointment. International? View overseas calling options.