The importance of parent involvement during the elementary years

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We hear it all the time – parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. That role seems more clear cut when our kids are very young and need help with just about everything – from practicing how to tie their shoes to looking both ways before crossing a street. But once a child enters school, other adults assume the teacher role, leaving many parents wondering what they can do to support and encourage learning… in school and out.

One thing is certain: for kids to learn their lessons well and remain curious about the many new and interesting parts of their world, they still need their parents’ help and daily encouragement. Research repeatedly shows that children are better, more successful learners when their parents are actively involved in their learning, both at home and at school. (See sidebar: Parent Involvement Pays Off) 

Still, many parents wonder just what they should be doing to support their children’s learning. Before you rush to the store for a pack of flash cards consider this: When it comes to helping children grow as learners, many of the things that you likely do each day are what really matter most. For example: 

• Create a home where learning is encouraged. This includes setting aside a consistent time each day when children will complete their homework. It also means encouraging children to read and write for pleasure and setting limits on television, computer and video game usage. (FYI: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school age children spend no more than one to two hours a day watching T.V., movies and computer games – and that children not watch T.V. while doing homework.)

• Set high expectations for learning. Parents know better than anyone else what their children are interested in and what they’re talented at. Take the time to encourage your child’s strengths and find ways to support them when they struggle. This sends the message that you are ready to help them succeed. For example, offer to help them sound out words as they read to you. Play math games as you drive in the car. Meet with the teacher to discuss how you can work together to help your child master a difficult subject. 

• Encourage exploration and discovery. Just because the school day is over doesn’t mean that learning has to end. If your second grader is learning about different types of communities, a family trip to a local farm can provide an interesting lesson on rural community life. Try turning an interest in cooking into an international theme dinner. If you have a skateboarding enthusiast in your family, subscribe to a magazine on his/her favorite topic. The point is to make learning fun. The library, museums, local historical sites and the Internet are all wonderful resources to help you nurture your child’s interests while spending quality time together. Two kid-friendly search engines to try are Yahooligans (www.yahooligans.com) and Ask Jeeves for Kids (www.ajkids.com)

• Build a strong home-school partnership. Open house at the beginning of the year is a great time to get to know your children’s teachers and learn about ways you can support the year’s learning at home. Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to talk about the areas where your child may need extra help or ways you can expand upon classroom lessons. Volunteering in the classroom, attending school events and sending notes or e-mail messages are great ways to keep in touch with teachers throughout the year and stay informed about what your children are learning. 

Dads can make the difference academically
Children whose fathers participate in classroom activities and school meetings receive higher grades, enjoy school more, are better behaved and are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities than children whose fathers don’t participate – regardless of how involved mom is with education. This is true even when fathers don’t live with their children.
200# Report from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics

Parent involvement pays off
Decades of research show that when parents are involved in their children’s education, students have: 

• Higher grades, test scores and graduation rates

• Better school attendance

• Increased motivation and better self-esteem

• Lower rates of suspension

• Decreased drug and alcohol use

• Fewer instances of violent behavior

• A greater chance of going on to college and other secondary education
  Source: National PTA (www.pta.org/parentinvolvement)

Reading and learning go hand-in-hand
When your child was a preschooler, curling up with a picture book before bed was likely a natural part of your daily parenting routine. By the time they’re in elementary school, carving out daily reading time with your child gets more difficult. There are a myriad of activities like scouts, soccer practice, music lessons and school projects competing for those precious hours between the end of school and bedtime. Still, daily reading time is a great way for everyone to stay connected despite busy lives. It’s also the most powerful way you can influence your child’s overall school success. A few on-line resources to support your at-home reading efforts include:

• www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/index.html – For more information about the importance of reading.

• http://kids.nypl.org/reading/recommended.cfm – The New York Public Library’s web site offers book lists aimed at elementary age children.

• www.planetesme.com/hints.html – For tips on reading out loud with your children and information about why this is an important family activity, regardless of your children’s age.

Want more ideas about how to be involved in your children’s education? 
The National PTA has compiled a list of 100 ways that families can positively influence their children’s education – from volunteering time in the classroom to making sure that your children have enough sleep each night. For more information, link to www.pta.org/parentinvolvement.