Parent Involvement
Why is parent involvement so important?
I believe it is extremely important for parents to be involved in his/her child's education. I have seen first hand throughout my years of being a teacher that when a child's parent is involved the likely hood of continued success is greater. Students whose parents talk to the teacher, read to him/her at night, check his/her homework, come to conferences, etc. are generally more excited about school and have greater success. I think that is partly because the parent that regularly communicates with the school community shows that school is a priority and it is important. That parent also is more regularly updated with what is going on with his/her child and knows what he/she needs to reach the next level of success.
What can schools do to promote positive parent involvement?
I emphasized the work “positive” because there is a fine line between being involved and being overbearing. There is a lot parents can do to assist his/her child academically but there are also things that can hurt the child's success. Parents should remember:
Be involved and updated (weekly updates can help you to know where your child needs extra help)
If you have a question ask (teachers can give you an answer or help you find an answer)
Ask how you can help (teachers may not ask for it but parents help within the classroom is usually appreciated)
Since I began teaching at my current school I have been a member of the School Leadership Team and I was the Chairperson for the past two years. Here are some activity suggestions that our team has used to promote positive parent involvement:
Parent Literacy Nights – Teachers and Literacy Coaches can take this opportunity to share valuable information and reading strategies with parents. Here are some examples:
Snowmen at Night – with snowman stories and hot/cold cocoa
Teddy Bear Picnic – Bring a teddy bear, read stories and have a teddy bear sandwich
Pajama Party – Come with your favorite stuffed animal, share stories
Polar Express – Have a winter party, read The Polar Express, have a snack and get a bell of your own to put on your tree.
Parent Numeracy Nights – Set up Math activities to show parents what they can do at home to improve math skills and promote spending time with their children in a meaningful way.
Mother's Day Tea Parties
Father's Day Lunch
I believe it is extremely important for parents to be involved in his/her child's education. I have seen first hand throughout my years of being a teacher that when a child's parent is involved the likely hood of continued success is greater. Students whose parents talk to the teacher, read to him/her at night, check his/her homework, come to conferences, etc. are generally more excited about school and have greater success. I think that is partly because the parent that regularly communicates with the school community shows that school is a priority and it is important. That parent also is more regularly updated with what is going on with his/her child and knows what he/she needs to reach the next level of success.
What can schools do to promote positive parent involvement?
I emphasized the work “positive” because there is a fine line between being involved and being overbearing. There is a lot parents can do to assist his/her child academically but there are also things that can hurt the child's success. Parents should remember:
Be involved and updated (weekly updates can help you to know where your child needs extra help)
If you have a question ask (teachers can give you an answer or help you find an answer)
Ask how you can help (teachers may not ask for it but parents help within the classroom is usually appreciated)
Since I began teaching at my current school I have been a member of the School Leadership Team and I was the Chairperson for the past two years. Here are some activity suggestions that our team has used to promote positive parent involvement:
Parent Literacy Nights – Teachers and Literacy Coaches can take this opportunity to share valuable information and reading strategies with parents. Here are some examples:
Snowmen at Night – with snowman stories and hot/cold cocoa
Teddy Bear Picnic – Bring a teddy bear, read stories and have a teddy bear sandwich
Pajama Party – Come with your favorite stuffed animal, share stories
Polar Express – Have a winter party, read The Polar Express, have a snack and get a bell of your own to put on your tree.
Parent Numeracy Nights – Set up Math activities to show parents what they can do at home to improve math skills and promote spending time with their children in a meaningful way.
Mother's Day Tea Parties
Father's Day Lunch
"Almost every study supports the fact that parental involvement helps student performance..."
~Monika Gutman
~Monika Gutman
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