2. BECOMING INVOLVED IN HOME EDUCATION

3. IN THE SCHOOL

4. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO VOLUNTEER IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL:

HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED IN EDUCATION? 

Actively involving yourself in your child’s learning at school and or at home will show the school as well as the kids, that parents value education. It does not only affect your child's learning but also helps your child to develop self-esteem, social skills, good behavior, and healthy ways to enjoy their free time. 

There are many ways parents can help children and their schools.

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BECOMING INVOLVED IN HOME EDUCATION  

Homework:  Spending time on academic work at home improves your child’s achievement.  Reviewing his/her homework and discussing what they have learned on a regular basis will give you an idea how they are doing in school.

Schedule daily homework time; provide an appropriate place to study where there is no TV and loud music. Provide assistance when needed. Discourage phone calls during work time. Encourage your child to put effort into completing homework. Go over homework, check if it is completed and ask questions about it.

Help his/her learning:  Parents play a very important role in effecting their child's confidence and motivation to become a successful learner. Show you have confidence in your child’s abilities. Help your child improve his/her weaknesses and do better on his/her particular strengths. Help them to set goals that are challenging but achievable. Challenges keep children interested; goals that are achievable motivate them for new goals.

Encourage your child's curiosity to learn. Reinforce your child's learning by joining in various activities such as going to the library, museum, free concerts, visiting children’s theatres, farms, exhibitions and cultural fairs together or reading and discussing books with your child, writing poems, watching and discussing television programs.

Encourage your child to participate in school and outside extracurricular activities. These are good opportunities to enrich your child's life. With these activities children will strengthen their self-confidence and widen their interests.

Learn your child's learning style: If you understand how your child learns better, it will be easier for you to help her/him. To learn your child's learning style, you may observe your child or talk to your child's teacher to get information whether he/she works better alone or with someone else. Other things you may want to observe or discuss with the teacher: Does your child learn things best when he/she can see them? Does your child learn things best when he/she can hear them? Does your child understand some things best when he/she can touch or move them?

Use TV wisely:  Limit TV watching. View, select and watch TV programs together and talk together about them. Encourage them to watch educational programs. Some television programs can increase children’s interest in learning.

Read to your child:  Reading to your child is very important. Read with your child and let them see you read. Studies show that children, whose parents read to their children or listen to them on a regular basis, perform better in school. Take your child to the library or if they are old enough, encourage them to go to the library. Finding books on their interests and hobbies will make them love reading more.

Talk to your child:  At each age level, especially with teenagers, parents should have good communication and talk to their kids regularly. By talking, parents and children learn about each other. Listen to your child’s stories about his school life and friends. Talk to your child about his/her interests. Know your child’s friends and the interests your child and his friends have in common. Ask his/her thoughts about specific subjects and discuss them.

Talk about your values with your child. Emphasize the importance of values and personality such as respect for self and others, self-reliance, honesty, hard work and responsibility. Show your values by your actions. Tell them how important a role model they may be for their siblings and the younger kids in their school.

If your child has any school - related problem, contact your child's teacher, the school counsel or principal.

Have family routines and set rules:  Having routines such as time for doing homework, doing chores, eating meals together, and going to bed at a certain time will help your kid plan his/her day and be organized. Also routines like sharing and discussing daily events every day is important. This will give you a chance to know what is going on in your child's life and what his thoughts are about certain events, subjects, and people.

Set rules and expect your kids to obey them. It is important to know where your teen is spending his time, who his/her friends are and how long he/she is going to be outside. Keep your child in family activities, they will enjoy being with family and this will always keep your teen connected with family.

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IN THE SCHOOL

Attend school events:  Attend parents organization meetings. Attend the school’s open houses, student exhibitions, concerts and other school events. Get to know the teachers and other school staff. Listen to their plans, what they hope to accomplish with their students, and why they choose these goals.

Attend parent-teacher interviews:  Studies show parents who are interested and get information about their children's progress regularly help kids to improve in school.

Keep yourself informed of what your child is learning, what their assignments are, and how your child is doing by attending parent-teacher interviews. If you cannot find time, schedule a phone call. Don't wait until there is a problem.

Volunteer:  Volunteering in your child’s school is another way you can be involved in education. Even minor participation can be very helpful. There are many ways you can help in school.

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HERE ARE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO VOLUNTEER IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL:

• Visit your child’s classroom. Visiting will give you an idea of what your child does learn and how he/she interacts with other kids.
• Volunteer in the classroom where your help is needed. Many volunteers help by tutoring students in math, reading, spelling or any other subject. Group supervision of projects and research is another area where teachers use volunteers.
• If you have computer skills you may volunteer in the computer lab, library, office or where your computer skills are needed.
• You may volunteer in lunchrooms, the cafeteria or field trips to help supervise the kids.
• You may want to volunteer in programs that engage young people in positive activities that build skills and self-discipline, promote healthy ways to enjoy their free time, and prevent use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
• You can help teachers and parents communicate with non-English speaking parents at parent-teacher nights by translating their discussions about the student. You can translate school materials, for non-English speaking parents as well.
• Help with teacher's clerical work.
• To meet other parents or teachers to share information or materials, drop in the staff room or if there is one, drop in the parent center.
• Help organizing school events and exhibitions by preparing invitations, newsletters or by sewing costumes, painting scene etc.
• You may help teachers set up bulletin boards and hall decorations.
• You may photograph or videotape school activities
• Ask the teachers if they need materials such as old magazines, newspapers, and cereal boxes to use in the classroom.
• Help to raise money for various school-improvement projects.
• Participate in workshops that are offered for parents such as positive parenting, child development and parents concerns about raising a child.
• Work with other parents to be part of decision-making committees about issues and problems concerning the schools. (ex: Parent Advisory Committee)

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