Helpful Tips for Parents
As parents, most of us have never taken a course on how to support our child's education. Much of what we do is intuitive, based on the understanding we have of our children's needs and temperament, and on our listening. But we may still need guidance from time to time on how to make the most of the opportunities to help our child get the most out of his or her education.
12 Tips for Getting Involved
- Take your child to school on the first day.
- Let your child know that school is important. Be sure to ask questions about homework, and set up a quiet place for your child to work.
- Read everything that is sent home from school—report cards, homework assignments, school lunch plans, and vacation and bus schedules. Show your child that you are well informed.
- Get to know your child’s teachers and school principal by attending school meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
- Ask for copies of school policies (e.g., attendance, discipline, homework). Ask questions if there something you do not understand.
- Volunteer to help out with school activities. Attend sports events, help out with fundraisers, or volunteer to work in the school office.
- Visit your child’s classroom when class is in session, not just at parent-teacher conferences. Set this up in advance with the school office and the teacher.
- Talk to other parents. If there is a parent organization, join it. If there is no parent organization at your school, think about starting one. Finding two or three other interested parents is a good start.
- Encourage your child to read at home. Visit local libraries or use book mobiles, school libraries, or book fairs and pick out books together. Choose books for each other to read.
- Being involved in a child’s education is just as important for stepparents, grandparents, and other adults who care for a child. Invite them to participate in home and school learning opportunities.
- Get involved in school funding, planning and improvement efforts through school improvement teams or school board participation.
- Your actions, not just your words, make an impression that could last a lifetime.
Adapted from U.S. Department of Education, Office of Communications and Outreach, Empowering Parents School Box: Taking a Closer Look, and 100 Tips for Parents, Washington, D.C., 2007.
Helping Your Child Succeed with Homework
As a parent, you know that homework can sometimes pose real difficulties for your children. But you don’t have to be an expert in math or science to help your child be successful with homework. Your caring and attention can go a long way. By getting involved with your child’s homework, communication between you and the school improves. You learn more about what is expected of your child in school. And you get a firsthand idea of what students are learning and how well your child is doing. Research shows that if a child is having difficulty with homework, parents should pay close attention. Talk to your child’s teachers to find out what you can do to help.
- Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.
- Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available. Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.
- Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don‘t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.
- Be positive about homework. Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.
- When your child does homework, you can do homework. S how your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, you can balance your checkbook.
- When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.
- When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, find out more about what you can do. Cooperating with the teacher shows your child that the school and home are a team.
- If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away. Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.
- Stay informed. Talk with your child‘s teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child‘s class rules are.
- Homework shouldn’t take too long or be too hard. If your child is making good effort but cannot complete home work assignments in a reasonable amount of time, you should discuss the issue with your child’s teacher.
Adapted from U.S. Department of Education, Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, Educational Partnerships and Family Involvement Unit, Homework Tips for Parents, Washington, D.C., 2003
Talking with Your Child's Teachers
When parents and teachers share information about what’s going on at home or school, your child will do better in school as a result. Tell your child’s teachers what they need to know about your child – if she has special needs, for example. If your child has problem with schoolwork or homework, request a meeting with the teacher. You can say, for example, “Tim is having trouble with his social studies homework. I’m worried about why he can’t finish the assignments and what we might do to help him.” You can ask questions such as: What are your expectations for my child? What are the school’s rules and regulations? Is there a homework policy? Ask about the school website, schedules, contacts, rules, etc. Trust that the teacher wants to help you and your child, even if you disagree about something. Don’t go to the principal without first giving the teacher a chance to work out the problem. Remember that you and the teacher are a team working together for your child’s education.
Questions to Ask at a Parent-Teacher Conference
Take advantage of parent-teacher conferences during the school year. Think of some questions and concerns you may have and write them down before your meeting. Keep track of your child’s schoolwork to help you with your questions. Remember, you can and should talk to your child’s teacher throughout the year.
Questions to Ask for Students in All Grades
- Is my child performing at grade level?
- What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses in major subjects — reading, math and science?
- How much time should my child spend on homework?
- Are my child’s assignments completed accurately and on time?
- Does the school have special programs to meet my child’s needs?
- Does my child have special learning needs? Are there special classes my child should be in?
- Do you keep a folder of my child’s work? If yes, could you review it with me?
- Does my child have close friends? How well does my child get along with the other students?
- What can we do at home to support classroom learning?
- What is the best way to keep in touch with you?
Additional Questions for Middle and High School Students
- How can I help my child to work independently and make the best use of time?
- How can I help my child prepare for high school/college?
- What can you tell me about peer pressure and how I can help my child handle difficult situations–drugs, alcohol, and sex?
- What courses should my child take to satisfy graduation requirements?
- Do you have a list of courses my child should take to be ready to enter college?
- If my child plans to attend college, how will the school help with the application process?
- If my child plans to attend college, how will the school help my child find out about financial aid?
Adapted from U.S. Department of Education, Office of Communications and Outreach, Helping Your Child Succeed in School and 100 Tips for Parents, Washington, DC, 2005.