Findings from a growing body of research support that parental involvement can be positively related to achievement.
Research also shows that the earlier in a child's educational process parent involvement begins, the more powerful the effects can be. And in instances where parents are more intensely and actively involved, the more beneficial the achievement effects can be.
So, within a busy family and work agenda, how can you impact on and support your child’s learning?
1. Support school attendance
- Ensure your child attends school regularly, and where possible, is equipped with required clothing, stationery and texts.
Your child's first year at school - Monitor bedtime and sleeping routines. Tired children find it difficult to concentrate and absorb information.
- Encourage a healthy diet. Good nutrition plays an important part in children’s learning, and an adequate diet is essential to physical and mental functioning. http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/
2. Maintain communication
- Read and respond to notices from school.
- Make a time to talk to your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.
- Attend parent-teacher interviews.
What teachers expect from parents
3. Supervise homework
- Set aside a regular time for homework to be completed.
Helping your child with homework - Tutor, where possible, using any materials or resources provided by the teacher.
- Show your support for homework and talk about the value of completing work out of school hours.
4. Provide a learning space
- Construct a learning space that fits with your family and your home.
Creating a home study space - Provide plastic boxes or shelves so that your child has somewhere to store things.
- Designating a chair, desk and/or reading lamp is ideal, but a corner of the kitchen table can also suffice if space is at a premium.
5. Facilitate access to resources
- Teach your child the value of, and how to use, your local library.
- Provide access to a computer and the Internet. If finances permit, purchase a home computer or utilise your local library.
- Insist that the home computer is located in a family area, not in the child’s bedroom.
The new child
6. Monitor the media
- Set rules for computer, Internet, mobile phone and television use.
The screen centred life - Watch television programs with your child and discuss programs and themes.
Young children and television - Educate your child in how to assess advertising and marketing to their age group.
Raising children in a commercial culture
7. Create a family library
- Stock up on suitable books, magazines, and even brochures of interest.
- Leave magazines, newspapers, sports extras etc. on tables and bench tops so that your child can readily pick up and read something of interest to them.
- Enjoy trawling second hand bookshops or Op shops with your child, in the hunt for a bargain.
8. Read together
- Read to your child anytime, anywhere. Get hooked on a book.
Helping your child read - Create a reading corner away from the distractions of television and computer.
- Read street signs, supermarket packets, the football scores…anything that interests your child.
9. Volunteer skills
- Participate in classroom activities if you have time available through the day.
- Help with fundraising or the school-working bee at weekends.
- Serve on a school committee.
About school governance
10. Make it a partnership
- Be an advocate for your child’s school – its philosophies and its teachers.
- Build your family’s teamwork. Make learning a priority.
Families working together as a team - Role model enthusiasm and enjoyment of learning.