How to Do School

Give Your Child the Tools to Thrive in School-From Preschool Through High School

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual-but helping your child succeed in school can.

In How to Do School, school psychologist Denise Mattingly, MA, provides a practical, easy-to-follow roadmap for parents who want to confidently support their child’s academic, social, and emotional development at every stage of education.

Drawing on years of experience working with students, teachers, and families, Mattingly explains what children need to know, when they need to know it, and how parents can build essential skills at home through simple, engaging activities.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Grade-by-grade developmental milestones from preschool through 12th grade

• Practical activities that strengthen learning, communication, and critical thinking

• Strategies for building habits that support lifelong academic success

• Guidance for helping children who struggle in school

• Clear explanations of IEPs, MTSS, evaluations, and special education services

• Strategies for communicating effectively with teachers and school staff

• Guidance for navigating public, private, charter, and other school options

• Answers to common questions about grade retention, academic readiness, and learning differences

• Checklists, real-life conversations, and actionable strategies you can use immediately

Whether you’re preparing a young child for preschool, supporting an elementary or middle school student, or navigating the challenges of high school, How to Do School gives you practical tools and information you can return to year after year.

Whether you’re a first-time parent, homeschooling family, caregiver, grandparent, or educator, this book offers a trusted reference for understanding how children learn, grow, and succeed.

Help your child build confidence, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential-one school year at a time.