Parent’s Involvement in Education
Your child’s education is a partnership consisting of your child, teachers, and parents. Many parents have a hectic work schedule and a busy social life, including the organization of their children’s extra-curricular activities. To get the most out of your time with your child, and to keep involved in your child’s education to the fullest, here are some ideas.
One of the most important things you do each year is establish a friendly and cooperative relationship with your child’s teachers. They nurture and develop your child’s learning. They have a genuine interest in seeing your child progress over the year. Input and feedback from the parents is important to teachers. For example, the parent-teacher interview is an appropriate time to demonstrate interest and cooperation among teachers, parents, and children. Following the interview, try to keep in regular contact with the teacher. You might want to send him/her an occasional note, demonstrating that you have a genuine interest in your child’s development.
It is essential to keep in regular contact with your child’s school. The administration wants to talk with interested, engaged, and involved parents. Parents with flexible work schedules can volunteer to help out in the classroom. You can always become involved with the parent council or parent teacher association. Regardless of the amount of time you commit, your effort to establish a link with your child’s school will be a benefit.
Listen to what your child tells you. Ask your child specific questions related to schoolwork. Go beyond “How was your day?” Ask what he/she learned in math, to describe any science experiments that he/she conducted, or to read journal entries at the dinner table. Help your child when he/she is having difficulty. Seek professional help if you notice a persistent problem in some subject area. Show your child how to organize his/her time with a planning agenda. Above all else, show confidence and pride in your child! There is nothing like praise and encouragement from you, the parent, to help your child develop self-esteem!
The school year is fast approaching, so consider how you, your child, and teachers can work together. Engagement, involvement, listening, and partnership among parents, children, and teachers will help to ensure learning success!