As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. To help your child succeed in school, it is important to know that children perform better and feel better about coming to school when parents and families are active in their schools. Several studies indicate that a child’s performance in school is more dependent on what the family accomplishes.
Supporting your child academically doesn’t end at you just enrolling them in a school. Here are many ways parents can support their children’s learning at home and in school.
1. Meet with Your Child’s Teacher
As a parent, it is important that you know your child’s teacher. As soon as the school year starts, try to find a way to meet your child’s teacher. Inform your child’s teacher that you wish to support your child’s learning endeavors. Make it clear that the teacher can get in touch with you if your child ever has any issues at school.
Do not be a parent that shows up in the school when a bad report is given. You can also talk with your child’s teacher and offer some ideas that will foster a partnership between you and the teacher. There are schools that organize events and seminars at the beginning of the school year. These kinds of events give parents the opportunity to talk about their children and state their learning expectations.
In addition, meeting with the teacher will help you know the physical layout (main office, cafeteria, playgrounds, halls, and special classes) of the school building which can help you connect with your child when you talk about his or her school day.
2. Make Time to Talk About School
Secondly, a vital way to help your child succeed in school is to make out time to talk with your child every day, so he or she knows that what goes on at school is important to you as a parent. When children know their parents are interested in their academic lives, they will take school seriously as well.
Besides family meals, a good time to talk and discuss their daily activities is during car trips from and to school. If something concerns you about your child’s learning or behavior, ask the teacher or principal about it and seek their advice.
3. Establish a Homework Routine
Homework is tasks given to students to go and practice at home. Rather than allow your child sit in front of the TV all day after school, you should set up a routine of how, where, and when to do schoolwork.
While your child does homework, be available to explain assignment instructions, offer guidance, answer questions, and review the completed work. But avoid giving correct answers or finishing the assignments. You don’t want to deny your child the opportunity to learn from mistakes because this is an important part of the process.
You can help by showing that you are interested in providing the necessary materials, creating an effective study environment, and praising all of your child’s efforts.
4. Plan for Technology / Smartphone Use
Phones are a distraction when they are in the study room, even when they are turned off. Have a plan in place for family tech usage. If you want family dinners and homework to be tech-free zones, agree to that ahead of time.
You can help your child with homework by setting aside a special place to study, establishing a regular time for homework, and removing distractions such as the television and social phone calls during homework time.
5. Attend Parent-Teacher Meetings
Attending parent-teacher conferences is another way to stay informed and involved in your child’s academic journey. The meetings are a chance to start or continue conversations with your child’s teacher, and discuss strategies to help your child do his or her best in class.
Parent-teacher meetings are great ways to get to know your child’s teachers and their expectations. School administrators may discuss school-wide programs and policies that could be of great benefit to helping your child succeed in school.
6. Encourage the Use of the Library
Everyone can learn and discover something new at libraries. Your child will be better prepared to learn independently if you help him or her learn about libraries.
It is good to encourage them to use the library as it provides a quiet setting for students to finish their schoolwork.
7. Provide Extra Learning Support if Required
If your child has special learning needs, additional meetings can be scheduled with teachers. However, it is also advisable to book a learning assessment that can address your child’s specific need(s).
