Parent involvement in school activities
Whether it is attending a school concert, cheering on a school team, or participating in community events and meetings planned by your school council, parent involvement in school activities can foster a sense of community within the school. It can build stronger relationships between teachers and parents, and provide an opportunity for parent to connect with and support each other. School-based activities may not have a direct impact on student achievement, but they can be a fun and engaging way to build a stronger school community. When you can, take advantage of the opportunity to participate in school events to show your support for your children’s school. The four key things that parents can do to help ensure their children’s success are outlined here: 1. Have high expectations for your children. Let your children know that you think it is important that they do well in school. High parental expectations have the greatest impact on student achievement. When parents consistently express belief in their children’s potential and tell their kids that they expect them to succeed academically, students do better. 2. Talk about school. Talk with your children about what’s happening at school – activities, programs and what they are learning. Surprisingly, this has a greater impact on academic achievement than monitoring homework, being at home after school for your kids, or limiting the time they are allowed to watch TV or go out during the week. According to our kids, we may not be doing such a great job in this area. In student surveys conducted by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), less than half of students in grade 3 (46%) report they talk to a parent or guardian ‘’every day or almost every day’’ about their school activities. By grade 6, that percentage drops to 38%.
3. Help your children develop a positive attitude toward learning and good work habits. Some research shows that the greatest influence you can have on your kids’ chances for success in school lie in how you influence their attitudes, their sense of personal competence, and their work habits, including persistence, seeking help, and planning. So rather than trying to directly ‘’teach’’ your children, focus on helping them handle distractions and crises of confidence, praise them for effort and persistence and
demonstrate a positive attitude about school as a whole. Bit by bit, there are the attributes that will build solid foundation for ongoing success. 4. Read together (in any language) Reading is one of the foundations of all education, and you can make a big difference by reading and talking about books and stories with your children. Reading with children is the best way to turn them on to reading. But this doesn’t mean that you should be forcing them to sound out the words. Instead of focussing on teaching your children the mechanics of reading, teach them to love reading. Make reading fun and enjoyable! The evidence is clear. Parents make a difference. And the way they contribute most to their children’s education is through what they do at home. Being a parent can be challenging, but the good news is that you don’t have to be ‘volunteer of the year’ or an expert in History to help your child succeed at school. Here are some useful links: www.generallakenews.blogspot.ca www.renfrew.edu.on.ca
www.edu.gov.on.ca http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/getinvolved.html
www.peopleforeducation.ca www.eqao.com
www.ontario.ca/homeworkhelp tvoparents.tvo.org
www.kidsmentalhealth.ca www.phoenixpembroke.com
org.kidshelpphone.ca http://www.metowe.com
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