As parents, we want the best for our children, especially their education. The most powerful way to ensure your child develops a positive attitude toward learning and thrives in school is by becoming more actively involved in their education. Studies have proven that active parental involvement boosts their children’s academic performance, makes them more motivated towards their studies, and creates an overall more meaningful school experience.
Therefore, being proactive will help your child develop core skills and build the confidence to go through “smooth sailing” in educational milestones. Moreover, your involvement will also signify an important message that education is worth an investment. Giving quality time and energy to the upbringing of your child’s education will not only add to his academic success but also build permanent memories that bring you and them closer together, foster a happy family environment, and help them unlock their true potential. Here are a few ways to get more involved in your child’s education.
1. Establish a Learning Routine at Home
A proper educational foundation begins at home. Having a specific time and place for learning-related activities will help your child develop the habit of constant studying. It might be an area in your house dedicated to homework, reading, playing educational games, and doing art-related stuff like doodling. It develops responsibility and provides a framework for children to succeed in school.
In fact, research highlights the advantages of private schools in minimizing student apathy. A survey reveals that apathy in schools is a much lesser issue for private schools than public schools- 4% of teachers in private schools report this problem, compared to 21% of teachers in public schools. That may be due to a much larger role of parental involvement and extremely close community in private schools. A study routine at home would nullify all those potential signs of student apathy, keeping your child busy with his studies.
2. Stay in Communication with Teachers
A teacher is one of the most vital players on your child’s educational journey, and contact with them can often be an important window into your child. Attend conferences, send follow-up emails as needed, and ask teachers how you can support the learning outside of the classroom walls.
This communication also enables you to know what topics your child is learning about so that you can design activities to reinforce the same. For instance, if they have been learning about nature, you can take them on a walk in the local park and discuss plants and animals together. Being proactive and supportive shows the child how their education matters, thus, strengthening the connection to school.
3. Participate in School Activities
Schools offer various events and programs to open the door for parents to join their child’s education journey. Take an interest by volunteering at school events, Parent-Teacher Association, or school assemblies. If the school of your child is getting authorization for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program – like the Primary Years Programme (PYP) or the Middle Years Programme (MYP)- you can get involved in the activities through projects. The respective programs could only be offered by schools that the IB Organization authorizes, and supporting this progress on behalf of the school can influence the education of your child.
By being actively present at school activities, you demonstrate your care for creating a safe home for children and the worth of community participation. Children tend to emulate what their parents think and do, and when they see you participating in their school, they will most likely take an interest in school.
4. Foster a Love for Reading
Reading is the basis on which academics flourish; therefore, one of the most influential ways to engage with your child’s learning is by establishing a love for reading at home. According to Brightly, children who attend at least two years of preschool are generally more successful later at school. Reading can offer language development if applied at an early age before formal education to encourage creativity and pave the way to success in the future. You can also encourage creative expression through mindful doodling or illustrations related to the story.
Allocate time every day to read together, whether picture books to the younger ones or novels to the older ones. You can even have some discussion about what you read for them, ask a few questions, and see what they want to tell you in return. This, among other things, will help deepen the bonding between you and your child.
5. Encourage Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities must be part of the educational process. Engage your child in sports, arts, music, or clubs that they really enjoy. These also help in a rounded education and give them some valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and time management.
Supporting your child’s involvement in these activities—whether it is by attending their games or performances or simply showing an interest—is a strategy that builds the confidence of a child and adds emphasis that you not only care for all aspects of their education but also value their effort.
A well-rounded student is a student who is both academically prepared and socially and emotionally competent.
6. Monitor Progress and Set Goals
Tracing progress and setting goals form an integral part of the process of supporting a child’s academic journey. Ensure learning is optimized with a safe home for kids, thereby allowing no distractions at home; there’s also more time to focus and be productive. Review your child’s grades, test scores, and progress reports regularly to analyze the child’s areas of strength and weaknesses. Work with your child to define clear specific objectives. Break the larger goals up into manageable smaller tasks that are essential for meeting them.
Give a positive attitude toward learning with success and pinpoint areas that have to be developed for proper support. This process will help your child develop self-awareness, self-motivation, accountability, and resiliency as you foster a growth mind that will help your child well beyond school.
7. Attend Parent Education Workshops
Leverage the workshops offered at your child’s school to enhance your effectiveness as an advocate and informed parent, especially beneficial for busy moms seeking practical solutions. These workshops discuss topics on parenting tips and techniques, milestones in child development, the latest educational trends, and best practices, providing very valuable insights to nurture a child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
Through the time you spend at the seminars, you are demonstrating a commitment toward your child’s success and well-being which makes you an empowered, informed, and effective parent.
Conclusion
Getting involved in your child’s education is not an easy task but the rewards are well worth it. Setting up regular and structured learning routines at home, keeping in communication with teachers about school activities, fostering a love for reading, and encouraging your child to pursue extracurricular pursuits as just some examples that greatly enhance the quality of education given to him or her. By demonstrating interest and playing the proactive role, you can help your child cultivate a lifelong passion for learning, which will benefit them inside and outside of the classroom.
