Ways To Get Parents Involved

Ways for Parents to Get Involved

Regrettably, in between the pressures of putting food on the table and keeping up with the duties at home, some parents lose track of their most important job, parenting their children. It is hard for parents to juggle enough time for all their responsibilities; however, when it comes to children it is not the quantity of time but the quality of time that parents spend with their children that counts. For this reason, parents need to reevaluate their lives and find the time to get involved in their children's lives by participating in their children's education, by building a relationship with their children, and by reassuring their children of their self-worth.

Based on the latest mortality data available, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people from age 15 to 20 years old. (MADD, 1) Firearms injuries are the second leading cause of death for young people from age 10 to 24 years old and for every child killed four are wounded. (AACAP, 1) Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people from age 15 to 24 years old and sixth leading cause of death for young people from age 5 to 14 years old. (AACAP, 1) With every child lost, there is a family left to mourn and the question that is left to linger in their minds is what could I have done?

The first way parents can start getting involved in their children's life is through their children's education. Every parent wants the best for their child and education is the key to success that is why parents must take their child's education seriously. Parents can start engaging themselves in their child's education by establishing a routine and a good learning environment, becoming familiar with school administrators and teachers, and volunteering at their child's school.

Without the proper guidance, children will likely hold off studying or doing homework until that last minute. Therefore, parents can help their children by establishing a routine so that their children have a good understanding of what is expected of them. Children should have a designated study time and time in which their homework is to be looked over. Not only will children become accustomed to their routine but this will also help them understand the importance of managing their time, as they get older.

Another routine parents should really consider is a set time in which parents can read with their children. According to The United States Department of Education, many parents do not realize the importance and the positive effects something as simple as reading can have on their children. Children of parents who read with them do well academically and have increased language and reading skills. (Get Involved, 1)

Along with a routine, children need a good learning environment, which will help them to be more focused both in and out of school. Parents can help their children by designating a study area away from the television and other distracting factors. A good nutritional diet and adequate amount of rest are contributing factors in helping children not just in education but also in life.

Parents, teachers, and education administrators have one thing in common, they want their students [children] to succeed in school. Which makes it important for parents to work hard in forming an open line of communication with their children's teachers and administrators. By speaking to their children's teachers, parents can find out how their children are doing in class and ways to help their children at home. (Latino, 2) It is better to be aware of a child's behavior and progress rather than receiving that dreaded phone call asking the child's parents to come to school.

Unfortunately, teachers are not familiar with their students' personalities so there can be some miscommunications based upon the way the child thinks.

The Early Childhood Digest explains that parents are the experts on their children; therefore parents need to participate and inform their children's teachers on ways to approach their children. (Latino, 1)

Besides getting to know the faculty, parents should really put forth effort in volunteering at their child's school. Even if it is something as simple as chaperoning the science fair or a field trip, not only will parents be helping out but they will also make their presence know. Thus, making it obvious to the parents' children that their education is important enough that their parents take the time off work to participate in their children's education.

The parents that find themselves unhappy with the education system may not realize that their input really matters. Unless the superintendents of the schools do not receive suggestions from the parents, they just assume that all is well. The parental impact on education is so immense, but majority of parents choose not to participate in some of the executive decisions that take place at board meetings. So it may not be that the school system is poor, it could be because of the poor parental participation.

Parents often feel uncomfortable getting involved in their children's schools for various reasons. Some parents might feel torn because they want to get involved; yet their schedules do not allow them to. Edgar Sandoval describes how language barriers, culture differences, and fear of deportation affect the participation of Latino parents in some schools. (Sandoval, 1)

As mentioned by Amanda Paulson, Staff Writer of the Christian Science Monitor, educators recognize that parental involvement plays a critical role in student achievement, hence educators not only are required but they are willing to take whatever measures to get parents involved. (Paulson, 1) Some schools, as described in the Early Childhood Digest, are willing to provide translators, convenient conference times, and any accommodations just to get parents involved. (Latino, 1)

Regardless of the parent's reasons for not participating, one thing to keep in mind, as best mention by President Bill Clinton in his State of the Union Address, "Parents who know their children's teachers and help with the homework and teach their kids right from wrong these parents can make all the difference." (Get Involved, 1)

The second way in which parents can get involved in their childrenÐ''s lives is by building a relationship with them. When parents build a close relationship with their children when their young, it makes it easier for their children to go to them when they have a problem and it will help parents become more sensitive to their mood changes. (Amundson, 1) Therefore, parents must focus on communicating with their children, listening to their children,