Parental Involvement Part 2

Schools have different needs and so different policies regarding the involvement of parents . Parents also have different constraints on their availability to be involved in the school process. Notwithstanding that , every school could do with some more help and support from parents. Every parent (and the child) could benefit form a better collaboration with the school.

There are general things that parents could do that will enhance any parent-school relationship:

1. Develop a relationship with the teacher: find out what the teacher needs. Show interest in the teacher as a person, not just as your child's teacher. Inquire about the teacher's life (without prying)- his/her interests, hobbies, struggles etc. Remember that the teacher has a life outside of the school.

2. Share information about your child with the teacher at the beginning of the year, e.g the child's talents, strengths, weaknesses, special interests. A particularly helpful piece of information for the teacher is any special circumstances at home that may affect the child's attitudes and behaviour including changes in the home, e.g. a grandparent may move in , a friend goes away, a family member may be ill.

3. Remember the stress that the teacher is under daily. Having to deal with 20 - 30 children all with different behaviour patterns takes a lot of the teacher's attention. Having someone to listen to what the day was like is helpful for the teacher to express some of the emotions that were experienced during the day and had to be put aside for the time being.

4. Praise the teacher and show appreciation for specific things, e.g."I like the way you taught the class about volcanoes today".

5. Offer practical help whenever you can- photocopying material, making charts, helping with school event and accompanying them on class trips.

6. Know the school rules and support them. If you don't agree with any of the rules talk with the school and help them to revise it (if it really isn't rational) rather than only criticizing and complaining. The school and home should agree on discipline.

7. Talk with the teacher and ask for suggestions and help for reinforcing work at home and helping with home work.

8. Use PTAs for more than just fundraising. Encourage sharing of information and literature relevant to children and learning. Spark discussions. Offer workshop/training session in a particular area you may be expert in that would be useful to the teacher for managing the classroom or enhancing the teaching or even just for fun.

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