Conversations

Involved Parents = Successful Students

It’s back to school time in Tennessee!  I can remember the early morning alarm clock, the moans and groans coming from the bedroom, the mad rush to pack lunches and get everyone out the door on time and….the return trips for forgotten items. Does this sound like your home?  As parents, we play many important roles in our child’s life.  One of the most important roles is supporting their educational endeavors.  Research shows that schools are stronger and produce better programs when parents are involved.  The research also suggests that students display better attitudes towards learning and earn better grades when their parents are engaged in the learning process.  You demonstrate the importance of education when you show an interest in your child’s school experience.  This support can be shown physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally.

Physical support includes:

·        Ensuring your child receives adequate sleep in order to fully engage in their studies.  Plan your days so that your child can have 9 – 11 hours of rest every evening. 

·        Making sure your child gets up early enough to eat breakfast from home or arrives early enough to eat breakfast at school.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day to energize their brains and their bodies!

·        Dressing your child appropriately for the weather.  It is best to dress your child in layers so they can add or remove clothing to remain comfortable in different climates.  Be sure to check with your child’s school dress code and follow their recommendations.

Social support includes:

·        Teaching your child how to get along with others.  Help them to understand that they will not always get their way and show them how to treat others with respect.  Modeling these behaviors is the best teacher of all.

·        Preparing your child for those that are different.  Again, modeling respect of all people that look, act or talk different from them.  Help them to celebrate the unique qualities each person adds to the classroom.

Emotional support includes:

·        Providing security for your child at home.  Each child has the right to feel safe in their own home.  This can be accomplished by

o   Avoiding fights in front of the children.

o   Identifying a trusted adult the child can call for support

o   Planning appropriate childcare.

·        Supporting your child.  Be sure to encourage your child’s positive behaviors and efforts.  Too much criticism can damage your child’s self-worth and confidence.

·        Empathizing with your child.  Be sensitive to your child’s feelings.  Validate their feelings and never belittle or tease them.

·        Loving your child unconditionally.  Make sure they know that they are always loved, even when you don’t approve of their behaviors.

Mental support includes:

·        Making sure your child has all the supplies/needs for school each day such as books, homework, pencils, paper, etc.

·        Asking what they are studying at school.  Look over work, read through their notebook and provide further studies on a topic that interests your child.

·        Discussing your child’s homework, tests and report cards.

·        Locating dates and times of special exams such as ACT, SAT, TCAP and End of Course Exams.  Help them prepare and make sure they are well rested.

When parents are involved in school, they can understand what their children are learning and doing in school, understand what the teachers expect from the students, get to know their children's teachers and principals, and get to know their children's friends and parents. Below are some suggestions you can do to be involved?

·         Eat lunch at school with your children.

·         Attend programs and sports events in which your child is involved.

·         Visit your children's classrooms.

·         Bake goodies and take to the teacher’s lounge.

·         Participate in parent-teacher meetings.

·         Attend open houses.

·         Participate in special workshops.

·         Help with fund-raising.

·         Write notes to the teacher about things that concern or please you.

·         Ask the teacher how you can help your child at home.

·         Ask about school rules and help your child to follow those rules.

·         Volunteer in the classroom.

·         Volunteer for special events.

·         Become a member of the PTA or PTO.

·         Review your child‘s homework each day.

·         Take care of children for others who can volunteer at the school.

·         Help chaperon field trips.

·         Ask others such as retired friends or grandparents to volunteer.

·         Share your special talents (such as teaching a craft or working with computers).

·         Recognize your children when they do well.

 

Back to School Tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Dean, C. (1996). Becoming part of your child _s school. Cornell Cooperative Extension