Parents Role in Child’s Education at Home and School

Making sure your child gets the right education in the right form at the right time is the number one priority in the minds of parents. Knowing that your child can get started at preschool, then move over to kindergarten, primary and so on is one aspect. But as parents, your only job is not just to ensure that you pay the academic fees, make sure his tiffin is packed and send him wherever he needs to be. The early stages of development are what shape the very psyche of your child and it is necessary to be involved in the education process for your kid, in the right manner.

Importance of Parental Involvement in Childhood Education

The benefits of parent involvement in early childhood education may not be evident right off the bat or in a tangible way. The involvement plays a key role in encouraging the learning process to continue and make it better so as to cultivate an attitude of curiosity and open-mindedness throughout life.

The boundaries of education are widening and making sure you are in the loop of how your child is progressing and being a companion to him can bring about great results. A number of students have reported higher scores in their tests and other examinations when their parents were actively involved with their education. Such kids are known to show great interest in advanced and higher learning courses, end up graduating through college within the stipulated time and don’t drop out as much as other kids do. All of these tend to create a positive feedback for the behaviour of the child, moulding him into an individual with great social and leadership skills, better chances of adapting to changing environments, and develop the essential principles to lead life the right way.

How Do Parents Hinder Education of their Child?

The strength of parents influence on child education cannot be disregarded and is usually underestimated by many parents themselves. This is precisely why many parental behaviours end up hindering the education process than support it, without them realising it in the first place. Simple statements said casually could end up in your child’s head as powerful markers to govern their outlook. These usually revolve around:

1. Ignorance of any complaints or suggestions given by the school for the betterment or discipline of the child.

2. Being vocal about the school’s uselessness or education system being pointless in real-life applications.

3. Constant advice is thrown at the child without trying to understand the truth behind anything.

4. Mollycoddling the child by blaming the school or teachers or anybody else for his shortcomings and failures.

5. Agreeing with your child about any bad aspect about school without discussing different perspectives around it.

6. Permitting your child to skip school for unimportant reasons and being casual about it.

7. Constantly pointing out how the school or the teacher is wrong about education.

8. Criticizing about teaching methods in front of the child and making negative statements about it

Parents Role In Education of their Child at Home

Not every system is perfect. Our education systems today do have their own shortcomings and some parents might opt to go for homeschooling altogether. However, that isn’t a necessity or a possibility for everyone but certain steps can be taken to begin or complement the education by schooling at home. This does not mean assigning your child more homework, but it is more around helping your child come to terms with the education process and making him look forward to it.

• Talk to your kid about how your school was and different memories associated with it. Avoid making it a preachy speech about how well you performed, but focus on the interesting factors.

• In the initial stages, your child might need help with various school activities. Remember that the systems have changed since your time so it may not be as easy for him as it was for you. Help him out.

• In case there are instances where the teacher or the school has made a mistake or taken a decision that doesn’t seem right, let your child know that teachers do take their time in realising who you are. They, too, might make mistakes and we can work around them together.

• Have an open communication channel with the kid on a daily basis to know how his day in the school was. Don’t make it sound like an army reporting exercise where he has to list everything by the minute. The time when he comes back to school and freshens up and has snacks can serve as a great way to sit together and talk about different things that occurred. These discussions need not only revolve around studies. Let him talk about friends, any problems he faced, any arguments, and so on.

• Establish a schedule of homework as soon as possible. Some kids are too exhausted after coming from school and prefer playing for a while before getting back to studies. Others prefer getting done with homework right away and then spend their time in other activities. Gauge what works for your child and help him stick to that schedule until it becomes second nature.

• In today’s time, distractions are present in literally every corner no matter where you are. The school provides a focused environment where everyone studies and a teacher is present to help you out. Try to maintain a similar atmosphere in your home as well. Avoid doing homework on the dinner table or the hall where there are chances of the television or a computer being a distracting element. Let him have a dedicated space where he can work with concentration.

• The right environment for studying is not simply about distractions. It is about ensuring mental and emotional peace as well. No child will be able to focus on his studies if the home is constantly filled with arguments, and fights, and bickering. Even though this might be happening in a different room, your child is highly perceptive of it and all these events unconsciously weigh down on his mind. Studying rarely becomes a priority then. Make sure you handle your home environment the right way.

How Can Parents Involve In Child’s Education at School?

Knowing how important the role of parents in a child’s education is, there are certain ways you can be involved in your kid’s education process and make sure he gets the best of it.

1. Choosing Appropriate School

Understand where your child’s interests belong and try to choose an appropriate school that can offer support for most of them or even facilitate them actively. Other factors such as distance from home and travelling time do play a key role as well, but since your child will be spending a major part of the day in school, these are much more important than anything.

2. Building Relationships

Don’t treat school as an institution where you simply send your child and he comes back home. Treat it as if it is an extended friends’ circle of sorts and get to know the various staff members of the school. Talk to your child’s class teacher on a regular basis and establish good relationships. Encourage your child to be open with the teacher as well.

3. Awareness Of School Events

Many parents are barely aware of any activities that the school has planned for the kids. Try to band together with parents of your child’s peers and form a chat group to keep each other in the loop. Any problems or issues can be nipped in the bud right away. Attend various events that the school organises even if your child may not be participating in them. Keep a track of your child’s progress using any tools that the school provides and feel free to schedule meetings with your child’s teacher or counsellor if you have any matters to bring up with them.

Other Ways Parents Can Be Involved In Their Child’s Education

Apart from these, parents can help out their child’s outlook towards education in various different ways, too.

1. Active learning

Help your child understand that learning and education are not only restricted to school and homework. It is a lifelong habit that helps later in life, too.

2. Gamify learning

Don’t let learning be constantly in the form of textbooks and problems. Turn them into games or activities where your child can exercise his creativity, too.

3. Make learning a priority

When choosing between certain luxuries or fun activities and your child’s education, always put education and learning on the highest priority in his life.

4. Join your kid

If your child has trouble studying due to various distractions, try to schedule your own work with your child’s study time. This will create a study environment for everyone.

5. Choose excursions

Whether organised by the school or all the parents together, take your child on trips to science parks or museums that can help elevate his interest in education.

6. Allow for breaks

Your child’s life doesn’t constantly have to be about studying. Let your child enjoy other activities and sports without putting the pressure of studying on his head.

7. Reward good behaviour

Children require a lot of encouragement and validation at their age to help cultivate their moral compass and behaviour. Make sure you actively do so.

A parent’s role in a child’s education in modern life has undergone a substantial change from the early days. This is purely a result of the progress we have made as a species and it only goes to show that our next generation is going to be better than us. Help your child be a vital part of it by supporting him throughout.

Also Read:

Importance & Benefits of Early Childhood Education
Sex Education for Kids
Importance Of Preschool Education for Kids
Questions to Ask at a Parent-Teacher Meeting