All parents want to see their child succeed in school, whether in elementary, high school, college preparatory school or college. However, parents are often unsure of what they can do to help, especially if they’re not academically inclined themselves. The good news is you don’t have to be an expert in any particular subject in order to help your child. In fact, studies have concluded that children whose parents demonstrate their involvement in their child’s education tend to perform better. I have teamed up with a private college in the UK to explore further.
Prioritise Learning
One way to become more involved in your child’s education is to prioritise their learning at home. Perhaps you could establish a rule that no technology can be used until homework is complete. It might also be beneficial to set up a dedicated study space, that’s free from distractions, somewhere in your home where your child can complete their schoolwork. This will show them that you are committed to their progress in school.
Communicate with the Teachers
Ensure you have a strong relationship with their teachers, even if you just communicate via email. Let them know if you have any concerns or questions and ask them questions about the curriculum and how your child compares to other students in terms of their progress. You should also let the teachers know that you are available to help should they need you. For instance, you might be able to volunteer to chaperone on the next school trip.
Talk to Your Child About School
After you have spoken to the teachers, and once you know more about what’s going on at the school and what’s involved in the curriculum, you should be able to find plenty to talk about with your child. Asking the same mundane questions every day will become boring pretty quickly, so try and mix it up. Talk to them about what they’re learning about in their lessons, which subjects were their favourites and why, and how they spent their lunch break. It might help if you speak to your child one on one, rather than in front of their siblings or other people, because they might feel more comfortable opening up to you.
Be sure to praise your child when you see them working hard on a piece of schoolwork or displaying a positive attitude towards their learning. If things don’t go to plan, like they get a bad grade on a test, don’t be too hard on them. Instead, remind them that you are proud of them for trying their best! This will encourage a growth mindset.
Attend Events
Attending events at the school will show your child that you are truly interested in what’s happening in their school life. These events could be anything from sports day to a school play. The idea is to demonstrate to your youngster that you are there to cheer them on, no matter what.