Why Parent Involvement is the Secret Sauce to School Success
Every parent’s been there…
wondering how to best support your child's education and asking what you can do to help ensure your child’s success. You want to make sure your child thrives at school, but maybe you don’t know how to make that happen. There’s no one-size-fits all solution or magic bullet but the good news? You can start with something simple: get involved at school!
Research shows that when parents are engaged in their child's education, kids are more likely to succeed. That’s not just better grades, but also higher attendance rates, more motivation, and even better social skills. But you’ve got a job, a household to manage, and a million different obligations. Plus, you’re not at school every day. So what does parental involvement look like in real life?
4 ways to get involved at your child’s school:
1. Be a Classroom Volunteer
Volunteering in your child's classroom is an amazing way to show your support. No matter how much time you can offer, (even just an hour or two) makes a big difference. Ask your child’s teacher what opportunities are available. It needs to be helpful and not an extra task for the teacher to manage. For younger aged classrooms, it might look like helping with reading groups, assisting with science experiments, organizing materials, making copies, or chaperoning a field trip. For older aged classrooms, maybe it’s judging a science fair, speaking on a career panel, or offering your expertise to a project. The key is to be present at school and to make yourself truly useful.
This helps you too! Being in the school gives you first-hand knowledge about how the classroom and the school run and who the staff are. It gives you an opportunity for casual check-ins and building real relationships with teachers. And it shows that you’re committed to the success of not just your own child, but the whole classroom and school community.
No time during school hours? If you can’t find time during the school day, all is not lost! There may be opportunities to help out from home or after school or on weekends. Just ask!
2. Communicate with Teachers
Regular communication with your child's teachers is vital - and not just if your child is struggling at school. Don’t hesitate to ask them about your child's progress, what's going well, what isn’t, and how you can support them at home. If a problem comes up or you have questions for the teacher, reach out to find a time to talk more. Check out my blog post on questions to ask your child’s teacher to start communicating today. Or grab my Powerful Partnerships short training to get inspired and take action.
3. Join a school committee or organization
Getting involved with your school's parent organization is a great way to meet other parents, stay informed about school happenings, and make a real difference in your child's education. Schools call them by different names, (PTA, PTO, PTL, PCC, Advisory Committees, etc.) but they exist to bridge the gap between school, parents, and the broader community. They take on projects to support the school - through events, fundraising, advising administration, and so much more. They are a great place to find volunteering opportunities including those that happen outside of school hours. School administrators may also give updates and share information at meetings, so they can be an excellent way to stay up to date on staffing, curriculum, events, and policy changes.
4. Appreciate Teachers
Let's face it: teachers are school MVPs! They show up every day for our kids, pouring their energy, passion, and knowledge into helping students succeed. But it’s also a challenging job that can feel thankless at times. Parents showing your appreciation for all that they do can go a long way. Teacher Appreciation Week is one time of the year that we focus on thanking our teachers (see if your PTA has planned activities!), but every day small ways to say thanks are just as important. Thank the teacher who makes time in their busy afternoon to meet with you about a concern and the teacher who goes out of their way to ensure your child gets extra support. Thank the principal who sent an informative email that answered your questions and the school staff who took special interest in really getting to know your child and their unique interests.
Saying thanks doesn't have to be complicated or cost anything at all. A simple in-person thank you when you catch them in the hall or an email will work. A hand written note goes the extra mile and so does letting their administrator know how they’ve gone above and beyond. A sincere expression of gratitude helps build relationships too. It tells teachers and school staff that you see their hard work and value them.
The Bottom Line
Parental involvement is crucial to a child's academic success. By being an active participant in your child's education, advocating for their needs, and supporting teachers, you can make a positive impact on their learning experience.
By engaging with your child's school, communicating effectively, volunteering in the classroom or getting involved in the PTA, and showing appreciation for teachers, you can make a real difference in your child's school success. So, what are you waiting for? Get involved, get engaged, and watch your child thrive!
If you want to read more on the importance of talking to teachers, check out this blog post: Why It’s Super Important to Talk to Your Kid’s Teacher
You can also get in touch with me and we can navigate this together!
