It has been stated that a parent is his or her child’s first teacher. In thinking about this statement, one can conclude that it is very true. Parents generally the first people their children know, therefore from a young age a parent has an opportunity to tip the scales for academic success. A major part of the parenting role is to help prepare children for the future.
The relationship between a parent and a child’s school begins before a child starts school. Before a child goes to school, a parent can play a pivotal role in school readiness. This involves helping children develop language skills through reading to them and having meaningful conversations with them. It can be as simple as allowing a child to help prepare a recipe so that he or she can develop the skills of following instructions. Additionally, activities such as counting the number of trees in a yard or counting other objects can help a child develop basic math skills.
Once a child starts school it is important that parents develop partnerships with teachers to assure that all are working for the best interest of children. This means that parents need to get to know teachers personally. Parent should talk with teachers and ask questions concerning what the teacher expects in the classroom. It is also important for a parent to know what a teacher’s philosophy of education might be. For example, some teachers believe in giving more homework than others. Some embrace children working in groups at a young age. These are things a parent needs to know as they form partnerships with teachers to help the child be successful in school.
Parent teacher partnerships require open communication between both parties. Parents and teachers alike should maintain contact with one another not only when a child is experiencing problems but also when a child is doing well. For a child to reap the best benefits of education, each day a parent should ask a child questions about what was learned in school. This helps a parent know if he or she needs to follow up with teachers, especially if it appears that a child is not understanding fully what is being taught.
Effective home and school partnerships are not just about being in touch with the teacher or school. It is important that parents support what teachers are trying to accomplish when children are at home. Parents can also make sure that children are studying and completing assignments at home. This means setting aside time for a child to do homework. It is important that the child have an environment free of distractions that allows him or her to concentrate on the task at hand. Even kindergarten age children can read simple books and practice writing skills at home.
As children grow older and more independent, parents still need to keep the communication lines between home and school open. Children may not want parents hovering around at school, but it is imperative that parents and teachers maintain communication to help children avoid the pitfalls that come with peer pressure and numerous extracurricular pursuits that can affect a child’s educational future.