Teachers offer advice for parents

Despite the many long hours teachers spend with students on a daily basis, studies show the parent is still the first teacher and most important influencer in a child’s life.

If parents value education, students will value education and strive harder for success than if parents are uninvolved or disconnected.

Heading into a new school year, we decided it would be useful to check in with teachers for the best advice they might offer parents to optimally support their child’s learning. We know the ideal educational experience for a child is a solid partnership between parents and teachers, and if there is concrete communication and support, the child will flourish and be more likely to reach his or her potential.

Not only does parental engagement encourage academic achievement, it helps cultivate a child’s character and social development. Research shows this to be true regardless of the parents’ own level of education, socio-economic status, and/or ethnic/racial background.

When parents are fully engaged in the overall educational process, students are also less likely to exhibit negative behaviors or become involved in substance abuse.

The common threads emerging from the conversations with teachers were:

“Tell us about your child.” Teachers know they can be most effective when they become better acquainted with students and understand what motivates them. Share what’s special about your child.

“Create an environment at home that encourages learning.” If there is a comfortable, inviting location for kids to regularly do school work, have access to reading materials, and have conversations about what they’re learning, students will get the message education is important.

“Talk to your child about what they’re learning.” Ask your child daily what they learned at school; after the first few “I-don’t-knows,” they’ll gradually open up. Try asking specifics, like, “What were the two most interesting things you learned today?” Once begun, these conversations will take on a momentum of their own, and they’ll become an exchange all look forward to.

“Read aloud with your child every day.” The importance of reading with your child cannot be overestimated. Reading 15 or 20 minutes aloud daily can literally transform a child’s academic success across all subjects. Set a timer and have your child read to you, take turns, or mix it up.

“Ask your child’s teachers for tips or resources.” Teachers have a wealth of knowledge and resources and are always willing to help interested parents become more engaged.

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for Clovis Municipal Schools. She can be reached at:

[email protected]