Find important information about school lunches, vaccines, and more to help your family get ready.

There are many things you can do to help your kids start the school year on the right track, like replacing an old backpack or getting them the school supplies they need. But there’s something more meaningful you can do that may not cost money: help them with their homework.

Students who do their homework consistently tend to have better grades. It’s not always easy to get them to do their homework, especially after a busy day, but these tips can help:

• Talk to your children about their homework. It’s important that your kids understand why it’s important to do their homework and the positive impact it has on grades. Homework helps them practice what they’ve learned as well as prepare them for upcoming classes. Plus, by doing their homework they develop the discipline and skills they need to be successful throughout their school years.
• Talk to the teachers. Different teachers might expect different things from parents, so be sure to talk to them to figure out your role. For example, some teachers prefer parents review their kids’ homework; others prefer parents make sure kids do their homework. Teachers can also tell you how much time your child should spend doing homework and what to do if the homework is too easy or too difficult.
• Select a fixed time to do homework. The best time to do homework is the one that works best for your child and you. It can be before or after playing, watching television or dinnertime. What’s important is that homework time is consistent. Avoid leaving it for the end of the day, when your child is tired and sleepy.
• Pick a quiet area and eliminate distractions. To help your children focus on homework, pick a place in the house where there’s plenty of light and no distractions. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be the kitchen table or a desk. Make sure the TV is off and put away electronic devices, unless they’re essential to doing homework.
• Get them the resources they need. You don’t have to be an expert in all subjects to help your kids with homework. However, you need to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed. If you need expert help, you can always take them to the library or help them with their search online. You can also visit kids.gov to find information on homework topics. The Department of Education also has several resources to help your child with homework in different areas, including math, reading and writing.

August is the time when parents across the country get their children ready for the new school year. It’s a good time to get the kids up to date with their immunizations, and to buy the supplies they need for school.

In the rush to get everything ready for their kids, parents might forget that they might benefit from going back to school too. The federal government offers affordable adult education classes and programs throughout the United States.

Most classes and programs are free, and are offered in locations like community centers, public schools and community colleges. Government-sponsored adult education classes include:

• GED preparation. A GED diploma is equivalent to a high school diploma and is essential for getting a better job. Several adult education programs offer prep classes to help you get a GED diploma. These programs teach basic algebra, physics, civics, and history and are ideal for people who didn’t finish high school. You can find the nearest GED testing center by typing in your ZIP code at gedtestingservice.com.
• Career and technical education. Adult education classes and programs can also help you get practical education and training through work certifications. You can take classes on plumbing, office administration, electronics, mechanics, carpentry, health and even computers. Some of these classes are developed with local employers to help students develop skills that local employers need.
• English classes. These classes are designed for adults who want to learn how to speak, read or write in English. There are courses for beginners and advanced students, but also for native speakers who would like to improve their English skills. If you enroll in these classes you might have to take a test to determine your level of proficiency. These classes offer flexible schedules to accommodate people who work and have family obligations.
• Citizenship classes. If you are a legal permanent resident and are trying to become a U.S. citizen, you might be interested in taking a citizenship prep class at your local adult school. These classes offer everything you need to know to take the history and civics tests required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. You will also have the opportunity to practice the required citizenship interview.
• Education orientation and help for disabled students. Adult education schools are staffed with counselors who can help students figure out which classes to take and which certifications may help them get a better job. They also have tools to help people with disabilities access classes and programs to take full advantage of the resources available.

Find out more information about adult education classes near you by visiting literacydirectory.org.

By Lorelei Jones, North Carolina State University, part of the USDA Extension Program.

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federally funded nutrition education program conducted through the Cooperative Extension Service in every state and US territory.

The program serves limited resource families and school-age youth, including those who qualify for other food assistance programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Electronic Benefits Transfer, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Head Start, or free and/or reduced lunches.  

Through the program, you learn how to make a food budget and how to select foods that will satisfy your family’s nutritional needs.

One EFNEP program in North Carolina showed families how to utilize all available resources for purchasing fruits and vegetables on a budget by using WIC Farmers’ Market coupons.

After completing the program, one participant said, “Since I have made changes in how I prepare and choose foods I have lost weight and have felt better and healthier. My family enjoys the food more than they have in the past, and the changes I learned in this class were not hard to do. It just took some time and practice.”

Learn more about EFNEP and how it can help your family.

To learn about other free resources to help you no matter what your financial situation, sign up for our e-mail list or visit our page.

You don’t have to be outdoors to have a fun summer. In fact, some of the most gratifying and enriching activities might happen within the four walls of one of our country’s 123,000 public libraries.

It’s easy to see why. Libraries offer an easy, accessible and low cost way to read books and magazines, watch videos and learn about new worlds in several languages, and enjoy a wide range of cultural events such as concerts and art exhibitions.

To receive all the benefits of a public library, you need a library card, which you can get for free at your local branch. So if you’re thinking of what to do this summer, consider these four reasons why you should visit a public library. You might be surprised!

1) Digital books. Libraries have adapted to changes in technology, and today many offer e-books which you can borrow for a certain time free of charge. You can check out e-books the same way as you do regular books, except you need an electronic device (e-reader). Some libraries even lend out e-book readers—check with your local library to see if an electronic reader is available for use. Besides print and digital books, you can also download audio books, music and videos at some libraries. Since many libraries have their own websites, you can access many of their services online from the comfort of your home.

2) Information in many languages. Generally speaking, public libraries have books in several languages. Be sure to check out the vast collections of books, magazines and music in languages other than English for adults and children. Some libraries even offer language classes or tutors for students which is especially useful for those who plan to attend summer school. You can also find books and CDs to improve English speaking and writing skills. Who would’ve thought that libraries could be a great place to learn another language!

3) Programs and events for the whole family. You don’t have to read a book to experience art and culture at your library. Many public libraries sponsor and organize different types of programs and cultural events, such as concerts, and photography and film exhibitions. Lots of libraries offer special summer programs for people of all ages, including computer classes, storytelling for children, fun and educational games, as well has reading activities, and more.

4) Specialized resources. For many people, the Internet is not a luxury but a necessity. Public libraries often have a computer room for people who do not have computers or Internet access at home – or for those who just want to browse the web in a relaxed atmosphere where they can concentrate. Libraries also have highly skilled professionals that can help you find what you’re looking for or recommend books and resources for practically anything – including the answer to the question “how long does summer last?”

Libraries offer many more services, including bookmobiles, computer classes and job search databases. To find a public library near you use the government’s public library locator.