Family: Important Part of A Child’s Education

Much research has proven that children tend to succeed more in their academics and get into less trouble when their families are involved in their learning. Some parents often feel like taking care of the children is the complete job of the teachers, this is not so. The teachers, of course, are to teach them academics, but how do you want a teacher to relate with a child that is having learning difficulties unless you involve the parents? Apart from this being an advantage of involving parents, we have other reasons why this should be encouraged. Family engagement might have a different meaning to parents, but generally, it refers to the continuous relationship between the school and the families of a child (ren). We have various programs that are set up to keep the families involved, so they can be of support to the academic growth and development of their children.

Why is family involvement important?

Family is the first institution that we have, the first setting where the child learns basic things. Why then do you want to leave the family when it comes to the learning of their child? When you involve the family at a very early stage of Childs education, the school, teachers, and even the parents benefit from such collaboration. When there is a continuous cooperation between family and school, the parents learn ways by which they can help promote the growth of their kids at home. Ways like; being open-minded with their kids, encouraging them to read at home, being able to discern their emotions, and responding in a better way to disturbing behavior.

How then do you support parents’ involvement?

1. Welcome them

Image Credit: Education Network

This should be right from the first day the child is to resume the school. This is that both the parents and teachers have the development of the child in mind, it is better for the school to accept not only the child but also the parents with open arms. With most parents wanting their kids to have the early taste of education, the school also in their bid to do this should not leave the parents out on that journey. As a school, how then do you involve the parents in their learning at this stage?

• Conduct a tour around the school for the parents. Let them get familiar with the environment.  

• The parents are in the best position to fill you in on what the kids like, their dislikes 

• Ask the parents for the interest of the child, likes and dislikes, favorite toys, and sleeping routines.

• In case you might want to reach the parents about their child, ask them for the method of communication they would prefer. 

• Involve the families in the assessment process. 

2. Set up Programs

Some parents are of the notion that the school should be in the total care of the child which is not mean to be so. Should in case the child has a learning problem, how do you want the school to take care of that unless the parents get involved? The way they learn in school will surely translate to their behavior at home. So as a school, you ensure that you set up programs that will get the parents themselves involved. The program might be in the form of; 

• One other effective way to encourage their involvement is to build a personal relationship with the families of the children. Do not see them as customers, rather, see them as partners; giving information about the progress in school. After the relationship might have been developed, create a more welcoming environment in the school. With the parents in mind, set up units where they can spend time with their children.

• A committee whereby the families are put together so they can all share ideas and support the growth of their children. Some families might not want to be involved, do not worry about that. Do not let those draw you back. Their inability to participate might be due to tight work schedules and the likes. It is then left to you as the school head to see other ways by which you can involve the families.

3. Parent-Teacher association

This is one of the most popular methods by which schools communicate with parents. The communication is often done in the form of a conference setting where both parents and teachers share ideas of how to foster the children to ensure they have not only academic growth but also social and emotional development. Some parents even attend these meetings without asking questions, they might be worried that other parents will know about their challenges. Rather than have that, the school can send out sheets asking parents to provide intended questions. By doing this, you can prepare their minds and prompt them to ask questions that they might not have been able to ask normally.