Family and Parent Involvement in the Education Process
Fundamental to each child's success in school is the involvement and interest of at least one other family member. School is a significant part of our children's lives. If they feel supported in their schooling, if they know someone at home cares, if they can count on someone to help them out, they are likely to succeed and flourish.
For a child centred school, one of the most important aspects of looking after the child is looking after and involving the family. Parents are not only welcome in the classroom but they are encouraged to share their skills and efforts. They are invited and encouraged to attend several school functions and celebrations each year.
Some parents will have a specific skill they feel they can share with the children. Others will ask a teacher what is needed. Still others feel more comfortable helping with fund-raising, office work or cleaning. Whatever skills and time parents are willing to share will benefit not only the school, but their child as well. Children benefit just by knowing their parents are interested in the school and feel that the school is a worthwhile place to spent time and effort.
In summary, an involved parent or other loved one can benefit the school and their own child at the same time by:
- supporting their own child by being interested and helping out
- sharing skills with children in the school
- helping the teacher in the classroom
- working on a parent committee or school board
- helping with fund-raising, cleaning, office work, organizing the library, etc.
- joining in at school functions and celebrations
"Education has really only one basic factor: one must want it." G. E. Woodbury.
"Nine tenths of education is encouragement." Anatole France
LINKS:
BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils
A Checklist For An Effective Parent-School Partnerships