Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards learning. And that’s true. They are the children that enjoy their lessons and always do homework. They are children that behave and are nice to classmates and teachers.
With this in mind, we should build a framework of communication with parents. This is important for their engagement in their children’s school life. How can we do it?
Besides the traditional written messages, and the personal talks, we now have many options of engaging with parents. Text messages, school portals, and assignment books are most popular. We can use them to assign homework, to share daily feedback or announcements. More importantly, parents can choose to take part in the education of their kids with immediate and personalized information about their children’s school day.
When things don’t work as expected
Family involvement is essential, but as we all know, nothing is perfect. Sometimes, things do not work as expected. For instance, with over-involved parents that take responsibility for things their children can and should do on their own, thus preventing them from engaging.
Last year, two of my students had ’helicopter parents’ who did their homework and fixed their mistakes. I used stickers with messages that incentivized the children and at the same time, guided their parents on how to allow them to work independently and make their own mistakes.
When things work better than expected
Fortunately, many parents are engaged without interfering. On the contrary, they communicate with the teacher for questions or comments, and sometimes volunteer in the classroom. One of these mothers is a dentist and offered a practical class with the little kids about how to take care of their teeth. What a success it was!
We should remember how important it is for our students that their parents get engaged in their school life, and how much it contributes to their academic and social development. When parents and teachers work together, the children win!
Analia Rossello
I’m an English teacher with many, many years enjoying classroom time with first-graders, as well as with high school students. I really love teaching; I love planning and creating the best content and activities for my students, those that will give them enjoyment and learning at the same time. However, what I love the most is watching them while that magic happens and after that, when they’re praised or rewarded for their achievements. That completely fills my heart!
