Younger children tend to bring home projects, worksheets, and information from the teacher. If your child is in elementary school, ask her to go through her backpack with you each afternoon or evening. Remind your children that you value education. Assist them in staying organized by asking about daily tasks and monitoring their work. Always remember to recognize and reward achievement. Take time to ask what she is working on. Ask her to explain each of the items she brings home, and show a genuine interest. If your child is older, ask about individual classes. Instead of saying, “How was school?”, try saying, “What experiments did you work on in Chemistry today?”
In many elementary schools, parents are regularly utilized as classroom volunteers. Sign up to spend a morning helping with an art project. If your child is in middle school or high school, volunteer to chaperone a field trip. Serving as an additional supervisor on a visit to the state capital is a great way to interact with your child, her classmates, and teachers. You can also volunteer in other ways. Think about your own talents. For example, if you are a skilled seamstress, offer to help make costumes for the school play. Consider volunteering to be the parent adviser for an after school club. Maybe your child is interested in playing chess, and wants to recruit other kids to join in. Talk to the school about organizing a new club. Offer to give a presentation to your child’s class. Many schools have a career day, which would be a great opportunity for you to teach your child and her classmates about your job.
You can stop by the classroom before or after school to introduce yourself. Just say, “Hi, I’m Angie’s mom, and I wanted to introduce myself. Please feel free to contact me if you feel there is anything about Angie that I should know. " You can also send an introductory note or e-mail at the beginning of the year. You should also contact the teacher throughout the year if you have any specific concerns. Make parent-teacher conferences a priority. Most schools have regularly scheduled meetings between parents and teachers. Put these occasions on your calendar well in advance so that you have time to attend. Try to respect boundaries. Schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher during regular business hours instead of phoning her at home late at night.
Make sure that the teacher is aware that you will be visiting. Send an e-mail or note ahead of your visit, stating that you are looking forward to watching your child learn. Follow-up with your child after the visit. Over dinner, ask specific questions, such as, “How long have you been reading that book? Who is your favorite character?”
Talk to other parents about what your kids are learning. If you have concerns about anything that is happening at the school, it will be useful to have another viewpoint. The Parent Teacher Organization will usually sponsor many events and projects throughout the year. For example, they might raise funds for a new computer lab. Joining this organization is a great way to work with others to improve the school.
Designate an area of your home for school work. It can be the kitchen table, a desk in your child’s room, or a corner in your home office. Help her to concentrate by limiting distractions in the school work area. For example, avoid letting her do homework in a room with the tv on. Establish a routine. Find a time that works for your child to her her homework and help her stick to that schedule. Maybe your child works best before dinner. Schedule your meal time a little later to allow her ample time to get her work done.
You can also do fun activities such as cooking new foods. If your child is taking Spanish at school, try cooking some homemade enchiladas together. If your child is really interested in her biology class, try to find some nature-based documentaries to watch with her. Or look for some cool books on the subject. Your local library is a great resource. Get the whole family involved. Family field trips are a great way to encourage learning. Take a weekend trip to a new city and explore some local history. For example, if your child is studying science, try going to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. You can also look for alternatives closer to home.
For example, maybe your child just doesn’t seem interested in her history lessons. Try to make the subject more interesting for her by talking to her about some interesting individuals in your family. Hearing stories about relatives can make history seem more relevant and exciting. If your child is struggling with certain skills, there are some steps you can take. For instance, if your child is having trouble retaining information, try making flashcards. Ask the teacher for a copy of the curriculum, so that you have all of the necessary information. Then, design some flashcards that you can use to help your child study in a fun and creative way.
If your child is young, you can read books together. Devote some time each evening to taking turns reading from a popular series such as the Harry Potter books. Set a good example by reading your own books. If your child sees you choosing to relax with a book in the evening instead of the television, she will be more likely to adopt the same habits. Don’t be afraid to offer incentives. Have your child set a goal of reading a certain amount of books in a month. If she meets the goal, offer a reward such as a family outing for ice cream.
For example, cooking is a great way to teach your child math skills and organization. Ask her to help you read a recipe and measure out the ingredients you will need for dinner. If your child asks a question, take time to engage and give a thoughtful answer. If your teenager asks a question about the election process, take some time to ask her what her views about the candidates are. Demonstrate that learning is something that happens throughout life. If you are using the internet to find tips to house train your new puppy, use that as an opportunity to talk to your child about all of the different ways you can find information.
Encourage your child to join a sports team or an after school club. Playing a sport like soccer teaches teamwork and the importance of following the rules. Social interactions will also help your child gain confidence. This will help her to succeed in the classroom and out. Take your child on educational outings. For example, ask her to accompany you to the local art museum. Ask her opinions about the different exhibits. Lead by example. Show your child that it is important to live a well-rounded life. Join a book club with other parents in your neighborhood to demonstrate that learning can be fun.
Make sure that you provide healthy snacks and meals. While your child is growing, it is important that she receive the right nutrients. Provide healthy snacks such as fresh fruit or veggies and hummus. Children need about 8-11 hours of sleep each night, depending on their age. Make sure that your child has a structured routine that includes a reasonable bed time. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Ask open-ended questions. Try to avoid questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead of saying, “Did you have a good day?”, try “What was the best part of your day?”. This will give you a better opportunity to develop the conversation.
Ask follow-up questions. If your child says, “Gym class was cool today,” ask a question like, “What made it great? What did you do?” Use positive body language. Maintaining eye contact and nodding your head are excellent ways to show that you are paying attention.
Schedule time to attend your child’s activities. If she sings in a choir, make sure to attend concerts. It will show her that you are interested in her life. Offer to help with homework. Set aside time each evening to help your child with any problems that are giving her trouble.
Offer positive reinforcement. Praise their hard work as much as you praise their grades. Make sure you let your child know how much you value them for who they are rather than for the grades they receive. [14] X Expert Source Kathy Slattengren, M. Ed. Parent Educator & Coach Expert Interview. 23 June 2021. If your child struggled with an assignment, guide them to reflect on what they learned from their mistakes. Help them understand that failing is an integral part of learning. [15] X Expert Source Kathy Slattengren, M. Ed. Parent Educator & Coach Expert Interview. 23 June 2021. Anytime your child has a hard time with an assignment, ask curiosity questions to help them clarify the places where they need some extra help. That way they can ask the teacher for some guidance. [16] X Expert Source Kathy Slattengren, M. Ed. Parent Educator & Coach Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
