Having a teacher who gives emotional as well as instructional support can buffer the risk of early school failure. At the end of first grade, at-risk children whose teachers were moderately to highly supportive had similar levels of academic achievement as their low-risk peers.

Care, Connect, Commit

Below are some suggestions of ways adults can help youth connect with their families, schools, and communities.

Connect in Your Family

Hug your children, and tell them how much you love them.
Make time to talk with your children. Be sure to listen carefully to what they say, and pay attention to what they do.
Spend time with your children doing things that they like.
Attend your children’s sporting events and performances. Be enthusiastic about their achievements.
Be courteous and respectful to your children, and show that you expect courtesy and respect from them in return.
Try to share as many meals together as a family as possible.
Volunteer as a family.

It’s never too late to improve a relationship with a child or teenager. Don’t underestimate the great need that children feel, at all ages, for a close relationship with their parents and for their parents’ guidance, approval, and support.

Connect in School
- Be a classroom volunteer.
- Chaperone school field trips.
- Assist at special events.
- Volunteer to be a coach for school sports.
- Lead an after-school program using your talents: start a reading club, teach a dance class, be a tutor, or share your skills in other ways.
Connect in Community
- Volunteer as a community member of a coalition for youth.
- Mentor a youth.
- Clean up a local park or playground.
- Start a youth league.

Above are just a few examples of the many ways you can volunteer and make a connection.

Photo of Mrs. Laura Bush sitting with students at a table with loaves of bread.

Mrs. Laura Bush speaks during a Helping America’s Youth event at Wigle Community Center in Detroit, Michigan, February 10, 2005. White House photo by Susan Sterner.