From birth parents are the most influential people in a child's life. Babies learn how to walk by mimicking parents and others around them. When they fall it is the parents' encouragement that motivates the babies to try again. Success of most students begins and ends with the child's parents. Parents of struggling students should be a known presence at their child's school, they should support both the student and the teacher. Parents of struggling readers should be seen often by their child reading a book or newspaper. Not only is this modeling the desired behavior of the child, but it keeps the child from feeling alone in his or her struggle. Children do not want to feel left out, so parents should put their technology down and read a book with their child as an act of solidarity. While teachers are very important in a child's life, the parent is and always will be the biggest influence.
