This booklet focuses on what African-American parents can do to provide their children with a firm foundation for educational success. African-American children sometimes do not do well in school because of the following factors: (1) poor self-image; (2) different learning styles; (3) low standards set by teachers and parents; and (4) poor preparation for school. Positive learning experiences early in life are needed if African-American children are to develop to their full potential. Parents can do much to build foundations for learning by doing the following: (1) developing the child's self-esteem and acknowledging the child's culturally influenced learning style; (2) developing the child's language skills, including fostering bilingualism in Black English and standard English; and (3) helping the child learn to read. Specific suggestions are given for each of these areas. An eight-item list of references, and a 14-item selected reading list for children and for adults are provided. (SLD)