Ideally, a parent would be present in every classroom every day. They should be observing and participating in the educational process. But apparently, this is not always the case. How do teachers get parents to participate more in school matters? Teachers shouldn’t be intimidated whenever parents observe how they teach.
Teachers should know comprehensive ways on how to work with parents. They have to overcome parent resistance because of work pressure.
For teachers, here are some tips to increase parent involvement:
The idea is to nurture parenting and teaching skills of young parents even before children reach school age. Teachers can make home visits by a parent-educator for the first three years of the child’s life. This way, children will be educated early on and parents will take part at this learning from the beginning.
Failure to create an organizational structure will make parents feel that they’re lost. A good idea is for schools to offer parent involvement workshops, led by teachers or parents. Parents should also be accountable to create a parent-friendly atmosphere, not just the teachers.
Parents can make a PTA office right in the building. They have bulletin boards and ask from suggestions from teachers.
Due to time restrictions, parents cannot attend school stuff. In the US, there’s a movement whichallows employees paid time off to visit and volunteer at the school. Many teachers are parents. , too, should be given time off work to visit their own children’s schools so that parents can spend a few after-work hours at school helping teachers prepare materials for future lessons, decorate classrooms, inventory supplies.
Make it convenient and social. Parents who contribute a lot of time to a school should be recognized and rewarded by the school.
Schools should make an announcement that fathers are welcome to participate; and businesses, professional organizations, churches and synagogues, police, firefighters and high schools to help recruit men as volunteer childhood educators.
Family learning shouldn’t be encouraged in schools alone. Public libraries can also be utilize, as well as medical fitness centers. Community volunteers can be given training in selecting and presenting children’s books, in using puppets, flannel boards and other special techniques. These centers can nurture partnerships with community groups, churches and businesses.
A neighborhood reading program, for instance can be a good idea with the help of neighbourhood parents. Older kids can be tutors to younger children. The notion is simple: With the help of neighborhood parents, older kids and enlists them as reading tutors to younger children.
School Web sites are the most efficient way to give parents a peek inside the happenings of a classroom or school. Pictures of school activities, plus calendars, e-newsletters, examples of student work, and week-by-week listings of course assignments and due dates, are just a few of the ways teachers or principals are using the Internet to share important classroom and school information with parents.
Do you know any other ways to increase parent involvement in school? Share them below.
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