Once you've identified your child's needs and your family's educational goals, here are some of the things you can do.

Communication

• Talk to other parents, ask about the solutions they've come up with.
  
  
• Communicate your concerns to your child's teacher and discuss ways you can challenge your child. Set up a schedule of communication that's realistic for you, whether it's weekly or monthly, as long as it's a commitment both you and your child's teacher intend to keep to track progress. This will encourage the teacher to give him more individualized attention.
  
  
• Attitude: Try for a "looking for a solution" non-threatening attitude when talking to your child's teacher and school, particularly if you're living in a foreign country where parents may tend to drop off their kids at the door, and their involvement is not as common. Some teachers can resent or feel threatened by a parent's questions, reading an accusation that they're not adequately fulfilling their role.
  
  A productive approach is to state clearly that you see your role as being in collaboration with the school's, with the common goal of teaching your child, and that you'd like to work out a way that's productive for your child. State that you're concerned with his/her progress and want to enlist the school's help.
  
  
• Share information regarding your child with the teacher. What she's going through, her reactions, her difficulties, a family situation (such as a move, death,or a parent's prolonged absence) that you feel would help the teacher understand your child.

Home Schooling and Distance Learning

What used to be primarily a Christian way of life is now a choice families across the world are adopting to educate their children. In today's global village, more schools, institutions and universities offer accreditation for online courses and distance learning to teach or supplement your child's education. You can contact countless schools online and request catalogues and references, then call for additional information to make a selection that works for you. Your neighborhood librarian can also assist in your search.

Joanne Raveney, a missionary's wife and mother of seven children, opted for home schooling. All of her children could read before they reached first grade, several before kindergarten. She taught sight reading of simple words, working with flash cards and simple sounds.