Parental involvement in education can really improve the chances of children progressing well academically, but it can be hard when you may have a job and a lot of life admin to attend to. Your time is probably limited and fitting everything in can be difficult. However, there are small ways you can get involved in your child’s education which will make a lot of difference to how engaged they are with their learning, as outlined by this international school in London.
Reading to them regularly
Reading together is a great bonding activity for parents and children, while it also helps children learn outside of the normal classroom environment. Even if you just read to or with your child for ten minutes a day this will help them progress, and it will also show them that you’re interested in their education and what they’re learning. Reading improves children’s comprehension skill and vocabulary range, while also adding to their general knowledge about the world. Your child will probably have assigned books to read from school, but it’s important they also read for sheer enjoyment, so it might be a good idea for them to read a book they enjoy with you at bedtime or when you’re having some quiet time together in the evening or at weekends.
Support them with homework
Homework can often be a rushed activity that’s done last minute when everything else is complete but taking the time to sit with your child while they’re doing it and support them will help keep them focused and engaged. They’ll find it easier to concentrate when you’re there with them and feel reassured having your support. Support doesn’t mean doing their homework for them though; instead, gently encourage them when they’re finding something difficult. You might be able to do certain things together, like researching a topic or making something, which will be a great bonding experience while showing your child that their education is important enough for you to dedicate your own time to.
Bring subjects to life
A fun way you can get more involved in your child’s education is to take them on educational trips; for example, if they enjoy history or science, they’ll probably love a trip to a museum. Conversely, if they find it difficult, this can help them understand the subject better. You don’t have to go on a trip though to bring topics to life. You can incorporate learning into various everyday activities, like maths when you’re out shopping or science when you’re going out for a walk. Seeing concepts applied in everyday life will help your child understand them and better retain information.
Volunteer at their school
If you do have some spare time, volunteering at your child’s school will give you a good insight into what goes on and the environment your child is learning in. You could volunteer to chaperone children on a class trip, or act as a reader for younger children. You may even be able to support your own child and see how they learn first-hand. Volunteering at the school also sends the message to your child that their education is important enough for you to get involved in.
Identify your child’s learning style
All children learn differently and finding out how your child learns best will help you support them adequately at home. You can also communicate this information to their teacher to ensure they’re receiving the right help at school. If your child is a visual learner they might find it easier to understand information when it’s represented visually, through pictures or diagrams. If they’re more of an auditory learner they’ll probably prefer to listen to information, whereas a kinaesthetic learner will like to learn through movement.
