As a parent, of course you want to be fully involved in your child’s learning journey. Although your child’s teacher usually spends most days during term time with them, you know your child better than anyone so your involvement in the educational process is key. Recently, you've probably found yourself more involved with their school work than ever before! Now is your chance to build on and maintain that partnership with the school, this will lead to better outcomes for your child; they will be more keen to learn and achieve better results. The good thing is: your child's teacher wants the same.
Here are our top tips for maintaining a strong home-school partnership:
- Work with the school. Be conscious that you are both on the same mission to ensure your child gets the most out of the education system. Maintain a positive relationship and appreciate the role of the teacher in getting the best out of your child. Teachers are just as interested in your input as you are in theirs.
- Find the best methods of communication both school-wide and in your child’s class. What is the best way to keep in touch with the teacher throughout the year? Would they prefer an email, a telephone call or a quick catch-up after school?
- Find out what the class or school topic is and see if you can support in any way. Do you have any resources at home that you could lend the school? Can you share a story related to the topic at home?
- Take opportunities to get involved in school life, can you support the PTA in any way, help out on trips or spare time to hear readers?
- Notify the class teacher of any changes your child is facing in his personal or family life. Events that you might not think are worth mentioning can very easily affect a child’s focus at school. Changes in behaviour are much easier to manage if teachers’ are aware of any reasons behind it.
- Keep a note of your child’s individual and class targets at home. That way you can keep track of what they should be learning and encourage them to practice when they have a few minutes to do so.
- Attend social events held at your school. Special assemblies, summer fairs and PTA events are a great way to gain an insight into school life and strengthen your relationship with others in the school community.
- Ask how you can help. Speak directly with your child’s class teacher to see how else you can support your child. There may be a specific activity your child needs extra support with that you can give some time to at home.
It's important for parents to remember that you don’t have to know the technical terms or strategies used in school, encouragement and support is enough and can give the children the confidence they need. Working with the school is in your child's best interest.