How To Be a Supportive Parent
How Parents Can Help Build the Parent/Teacher Team
Open communication is important. Both parents and teachers need to have an established rapport. But how is this accomplished and what can parents do to help build this over the school year?
Stay Informed
Read information that is sent home from school. Stay in the loop on what is going on in the classroom and in school. Children suffer when they come to school unprepared for special days, do not have the proper supplies, etc. due to unread newsletters and messages sent by the teacher. Be prompt in reading, signing, and returning forms that relate to school. www.o8sis.com
Keep Homework Positive
Children will easily pick up on the attitudes displayed by parents. Make homework a priority at home. Ask to see work brought home. Review what needs to be accomplished and later check for follow-through. Circle any incorrect work and have the child rework those errors. (Not doing so will only guarantee that the child will repeat the same errors on upcoming tests.) Jot down anything that is unclear and communicate via note to the teacher. Parental signing of homework is also beneficial, as the teacher then knows the work has been done under adult supervision.
Get Involved
Teachers can use volunteer help in many areas. Nothing communicates more to students that school is important than having parents involved in the classroom. This allows students the opportunity to learn to relate to and respect different adults. Attend parent/teacher conferences and as many school functions as possible during the school year. www.schoolparents.canberra.net.au
Encourage Teachers
Teachers receive surprisingly few encouraging notes over the school year. Be the parent who goes out of the way to be positive. A brief note sent at the beginning of the year could contain important information the teacher needs to know about their student as well as a cheery hello. An appreciation note at the end of the year will be cherished for a long time.
Speak Positively at Home
No school year is without its problems and frustrations. These do not need to be vented in the presence of children, however. Keep communications with the teacher private. Children will repeat parental attitudes and words in the classroom in front of other children. A positive word goes a long way.
Encourage school spirit at home. Get excited about special events and mark them on the calendar. Talk about the new, interesting things being learned around the dinner table. Relate positive memories of school days in the past to family members.
Extend What Is Being Learned
Capitalize on what is being learned in the classroom. Travel to museums, zoos, and art exhibits to experience first-hand what was taught during the school year. Go to the library to take out books not only needed for assigned projects, but also for just the pure joy of learning more. Turn to the internet for pictures and articles to print out and send in to school to share with classmates.
Parents play a very important part in making the parent/teacher team a positive experience. Keeping informed, staying involved, and making an extra effort to communicate effectively is the key to a great school year for everyone. Let's get on the team and encourage those students.
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