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Research shows us that parent involvement has a higher impact on student success than any other factor, including culture and socio-economic issues. For teachers, simply calling parents when a problem arises is not enough to keep parents involved. Children and adolescents need their parents to play an active role in their academic careers. As teachers we must foster active parent participation as much as possible. How can we do this?

1. Routinely invite parents into the classrooms and schools for special events.

2. Enlist parents as volunteers whenever possible.

3. Keep parents informed about classroom events and procedures.

4. Help parents know how to effectively help their children develop good study/work habits at home. 

I’d like to address the last strategy in more detail. Some families have problems helping their children develop good work and study habits. Although we try to teach our student good work habits in the classroom, these need to be reinforced at home. We can help parents implement these strategies at home by offering tips and strategies to use with their children. This information should be given in short bursts so as not to overwhelm parents. One excellent way to disseminate information is through a classroom newsletter.

A newsletter is an excellent way of keeping parents informed of:

·Classroom activities
·Units/themes of study
·Upcoming events and field trips
·Important due dates for projects and tests
·Keep them up-to-speed on the latest learning strategies
·Lastly, the parent newsletter is a great way to give parents those tips on creating a good learning/study environment in the home!!

Break your newsletter into sections that are short and to-the-point.  Parents won’t read your newsletter if it looks like a novel or even an article out of Time Magazine. Parents are busy. They need information in quick bites. Every segment of your newsletter can be a sentence or maybe a short paragraph. Use bullets frequently, so that your newsletter is not wordy!

A great idea is to include a short section titled “Tips for Home” in your newsletter. Key to Success–  Put only one or two tips per newsletter, so that parents are not too overwhelmed to actually incorporate this into their daily lives! Below are some strategies you can include in your newsletters to help parents utilize good study habits at home.

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• Stress to your children that you are a team player in their school life. Your role is to help them be better students. It is important for your children that you create an environment where your child can study and do their homework with few interruptions and distractions.

 

• Schedule homework at a time that works for both your child and the rest of the family. Routine is important for children, as they feel more balanced and comfortable when there is a routine for the day. Don’t expect children to sit and work quietly on homework during a chaotic time in the house.

 

• Plan a “quiet time” for the family every day. Parents can be reading, folding laundry, working on the computer, etc. - but not watching TV or talking on the phone. This will give your children the idea that it imperative that we all get our work done in a quiet and efficient manner.

 

• Help your child set up a “calm corner” and/or peaceful study area. This doesn’t have to be alone in their bedroom. It could be in any area of the house. The kitchen table is where I often did my homework. I didn’t like being alone, and my mom and dad were available to answer questions and help if I needed it. However, some students need total quiet and are distracted easily. So, if they don’t have their own bedroom, maybe they could use your room. Most parents have their own room as “off limits” to the children. If your child needs a quiet place to study, other siblings won’t distract them in your room.

 

• Don’t complain about your child’s homework in front of the children! If you have a comment or concern about homework or academic requirements, please call your child’s teacher or conference with the teacher, outside of earshot of your children. YOU have a huge impact on the attitude of your children towards school. Don’t let it be a negative one!

 

• Don’t do the homework for your children. Some parents get carried away and take over the project. Doing your child’s work for him/her may hamper his/her comprehension of the material and he/she could fall behind in class. Help and advise without doing the work. If your child is still having trouble,send a note to the class teacher or call to discuss your concerns.

 

• Make sure that your children are eating well. Just as cars can’t run without fuel, our brains can’t either. Even just one missed meal can affect a child’s behavior and thinking skills. Please make sure that children come to school well-fed and fueled up for the day!

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Each of these tips are short, to the point, and offer helpful strategies for parents to use at home with their child. Over time you may think of other strategies you want to share with parents. Just remember to keep the information concise and to the point. Try to avoid educational jargon and use plain language. This will encourage parents to read and utilize the strategies you share.

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