How to Be More Involved in Your Child’s Education

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Worrying about your child’s progress in school is a very natural part of parenting. We all want our children to excel or if not excel, then to reach their full potential. There’s also the need to know that our children are enjoying their education. Without pleasure in learning, there’s little room for success. Becoming more involved in your child’s education is of course a fundamental part of helping them. But what are the best ways in which to be involved? Nobody wants to be a helicopter parent or to be seen as interfering do they?

Some schools, like this senior school in Preston believe that it’s all about striking the right balance and that there are “three strands to an excellent education, “the academic, pastoral, and co-curricular experience”. Parental involvement is an important part of pastoral care because when a child understands that their parent understands how their school’s support system works, they can be part of it when possible. Ensuring that your child and their teachers know that you are there to support them is the first step in striking the balance.

Start as soon as possible

If you’re worried you’ve left it too late or if you feel you haven’t been involved enough, it’s important to begin making those changes immediately. Speak to your child first – let them know that you want to help them and that you’re available to hear their concerns or to learn more about the subjects in which they are most interested.

Equally, you can send an email to their teachers to let them know too. If you don’t have a direct email address, you can usually ask the school office. A quick email to say that you’re keen to help your child and support them in their learning and that you’re here to be contacted if the teacher ever needs should suffice.

Check your child’s timetable

If you’re fully aware of what lessons your child has on which day, you’ll be in a much better position to help them. For example, if you’ve noticed your child is regularly less than keen to attend school on a certain day, you might also notice that it is on that day their least favourite lesson occurs. Help them to strengthen their skills and confidence in those weaker areas. If your child doesn’t like a particular class, you could find them a tutor or help them yourself if you have the ability.

Knowing what lessons happen when is also good when it comes to homework support. You can help your child to make a wall planner listing the homework they have that week and when it’s due. You can ask your child if they’ve completed their work on time. Helping your child to manage their time in this way is one of the best gifts you can give them. When homework builds up, it can cause problems later down the line.

Volunteering

This can be brilliant for younger children as in the primary years, most children like to see their parent taking an active role in their school life. Many schools need parent volunteers for trips out or for extra craft and art lessons. You don’t need to join the PTA to help out occasionally. Just let your child’s teacher know that you’re happy to help out whenever needed.