THE HOME-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP:
From the moment of birth, a child begins to learn. Parents or other primary caregivers are not only a child’s first teachers; they may be the most important teachers a child will ever have. Children learn much in their first few years of life, and once they begin school, their home life strongly affect their school performance. A recent study found that parents make a significant difference in a child’s school achievement.
Most adults feel that it is harder to be a parent today, and they consider it particularly difficult to find sufficient time to spend with their children. Nevertheless, parents want the best for their youngsters. They are concerned about preparing them for their school years, and they want to share in their day-to-day school experiences by providing support in the home for schoolwork.
THE HOME ENVIRONMENT:
When teachers across the nation were asked in a survey about what would help improve American education, their overwhelming response was that they could do their best job educating children who were sent to school in good physical condition and with positive mental attitudes towards learning.
Children need adequate food, clothing, and shelter to be physically fit to learn. It is equally important for children to develop a sense of self-worth. Children who feel good about themselves are better able to learn. Their self-esteem comes from knowing that they are valued members of the family and that they have the loving support and understanding of family members. Allowing children freedom and independence within consistent limits; providing just enough supervision and guidance for their protection; and rewarding their efforts with praise and encouragement are all ways by which children learn that they are loved and respected for who they are.
Given this kind of atmosphere in which to grow, children also need a few key learning experiences. There are at least two things parents can do that will help children be successful in school-reading to them, daily if possible, and talking with them as you share time together.
Educational studies have shown the children who are read to on a regular basis come to school ready to learn to read and that they experience fewer difficulties mastering the at of reading. Fortunately, children’s books are readily available. Inexpensive books for young children can be purchased at bookstore sales and in supermarket and discount stores. They can be picked up for a few coins at tag sales. Local public libraries contain shelves full of wonderful fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages, free to anyone with a library card. School age children are able to buy books at discounted prices at schools book fairs, and teachers often encourage book sharing by providing time for youngsters to trade favorite books with their classmates. Children of any age love to be read to, and they should be encouraged to participate actively in the reading experience.
Talk with children about what they are reading. Ask them about what is taking place in the story and what they think will happen next. Have them find things in the illustrations that are named in the story. Encourage them o ask questions. Praise them when they ‘read’ to you from a favorite book they have heard May, many times. Demonstrate to children that you enjoy reading, too. Let them see you enjoying a book, magazine, or news paper in your leisure moments. A few minutes a day spent with children and a book can make a substantial difference to their success in school.
Talking with children is another essential learning experience. Telling stories, explaining the steps you use in preparing a meal or fixing a faucet, playing word games, posing riddles, and singing songs are just a few meaningful ways to communicate with youngsters. Encourage your children to talk to you. Show your interest in the questions they raise. Help them work out solutions to problems verbally.
Take the time to listen when they are eager to share an experience or a feeling. By learning how to use language to communicate wit others, children build a speaking and listening vocabulary that will form the foundation for learning to read and write.
In addition to reading to and talking with children parents should try to provide, as much as they are able, a wide variety of experiences for their children. Taking tem for walks around the neighborhood and stopping in at local businesses, parks, playgrounds, and libraries are free activities that offer fruitful opportunities for talking and earning. Trips to museums, zoos, athletic events, and concerts have obvious benefits in broadening children’s interests and knowledge.
By participating actively in your children’s learning experiences, you will earn their preferences, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. You will then be better prepared to provide the successful experiences at home that will give them the confidence they need to meet the challenges of school.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL:
Once children are in school, they find that their learning becomes more regimented. Parents and caregivers often discover that schools today are very different from the schools they attended. They are not sure about what the school expects or what actually goes on in the classroom. Some parents come to believe that their children’s education is now out of their hands and should be left to the professionals.
Research, however, documents that children do best in school when parents view themselves as being in charge of their children’s education. Parental involvement has proven to be more important to children’s success in school than family income or level of education. Most educators realize that well-informed parents can be strong supporters and allies in the work they do. They are reaching out more frequently to involve parents in the school and its activities.
Parents demonstrate that they think education is valuable when they continually share their children’s school experiences. Getting to know your youngster’s teachers is of primary importance. What do they expect of their students? Do children in their classrooms spend some of their time at their desks listening and completing teacher-directed activities? Are students expected to take responsibility for their own learning for part of the day, moving around the room, choosing from a variety of activities to work on individually or cooperatively with other children? Are students required to learn facts for tests as well as solve problems requiring critical thinking? Do their teachers evaluate the progress of students by keeping a portfolio of their work? Knowing what is required of your children will enable you to offer the most effective support.
Schools recognize the need for good home school communication and most schools use parents teacher conferences and written reports as a means of reporting on children’s progress. Because of working hours and other responsibilities, parts or other caregivers sometimes find it difficult to deep in touch with teachers or to attend school functions when that is the case, it is important that some other key family member make the contact or attend the meeting.
When you miss teacher conferences or school functions, you are sending your children the message that school matters may not be important enough to take some of your time and concern. When the efforts is made to be in regular contact with teachers and administrators, you signal your children that school and schoolwork are important and serious business for both of you. Increasingly, schools well come parents participation in other school activities. Many moms and dads, and grand parents, too, perform valuable services as classroom assistants and volunteer tutors or become active in parent-advisory or PTO groups.
HOW IMPORTANT IS HOMEWORK:
Teachers typically assign homework to their students. But without guidance from their parents, children may find it difficult to organize their after-school time in order to complete the assignments. How important is homework? What can parents do to help children get over the homework hurdle?
Studies show that doing homework regularly and conscientiously helps raise student achievement. Teachers recognize the importance of homework in helping students become independent learners. Talk to teachers early in the school year to find out what, in general, the homework requirements will be for your children.
Work together with your children to set up ground rules that will promote good study habits.
First, agree on a regular time and place for study, one that accommodates the needs of each child and the availability of a family helper, and be firm in ticking to it. Be ready to handle distractions-telephone calls, a turned-on TV set. Interference from brothers and sisters. Help your children get started each day by making sure they understand what they are supposed to do for their assignments and that they have the materials they need. Do not do the homework for your children, but be ready to assist when they ask for help.
Many parents, especially when younger children are involved, check completed assignments to make sure a child has not misunderstood the work. This can prevent embarrassment for youngsters and will enable you to alert the teachers to possible problems they may be having in learning the material.
Homework can help your children become better students with good study habits and keep you informed about their work in classes.
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