How can parents support educators? Teaching children is one of those things best addressed on multiple fronts. While the majority of children receive the core of their educational experiences in the classroom setting, it goes without question that parent and caregiver involvement is an integral part of enhancing the learning capabilities. The attitudes of our student learners towards their own education also has a significant impact.
Studies have repeatedly shown that small practices such as daily reading can make a huge impact on cognitive development in children of all ages. Multiple studies continue to show that reading to children daily, positively affects their reading skills, cognitive skills, and even confidence levels throughout their lives. Beyond reading, there are endless ways that parents can support teachers, school staff, and students.
Simple acts of kindness and appreciation can help teachers feel supported as they work with our children on a daily basis. Being an active participant, and checking in on a student’s progress, or showing up when possible to school events has a profound impact on children and school staff as well. Teaching children accountability, problem solving skills, and the importance of kindness, compassion, and acceptance are all lessons that should be continuously modeled at home.
Teachers and parents have the power to influence just about every aspect of a child’s life, and when the work is done in partnership, the potential is endless. Below, local educators share their suggestions for how parents and caregivers can support teachers in meaningful ways.
Engage In Student Learning
Sarah Buck has been an educator for 10 years. She says one of the best things a parent can do for their child is to make their education a priority and to help their children view their own education as something worthy and powerful. She says words make a difference. “Don’t badmouth school staff in front of your child. They will have the same attitude, and it can become challenging to help them if they aren’t in a ‘school positive’ mindset.” She also suggests working with children on their homework. Even little things like practicing sight words can make a big impact. “Be available! Ask them questions about their day.” She says. And whenever possible, show up to school events, it really makes their day.
Allison Wenzel has been a teacher for 11 years. She says that being present is an important part of helping your child succeed in their educational goals, and also of great benefit to teachers as well. “Be present. Show up for meetings, and reach out to check in.” Teachers want to hear from parents. Parent engagement is critical in understanding the various aspects of student lives.
Carly Hamill Suterlowe has been teaching for 8 years. She says that even little things like checking take-home folders regularly, returning forms on time, and showing up for scheduled meetings makes the job of a teacher more manageable. “Chasing down and following up with multiple individual people for things like this adds so much to the mental load and takes up so many minutes here and there that really add up,” she says.
Melissa Reedy has been an educator for 19 years. She says, “Parents can do simple things like reading nightly and discussing parts of the book, any book. Start at an early age so kids grow up having a fondness for books and reading. Also, practice those math facts until they’re all memorized. Knowing your multiplication and division facts will help in so many ways once students get into grade 3 and above. They’ll be able to make connections among new concepts so much easier and won’t have to struggle just to figure out a basic fact before getting to the actual problem.” She also says, to double check on things like homework. “If they say they’ve done their homework, lay eyes on it! If they say they don’t have homework then make sure that’s true! Homework is practice! Practice is the only way you’ll get better at anything!”
Hold Children Accountable
Emily Vargo has been teaching for 20 years. It is the natural instinct of a parent to want to protect and nurture their children, but lessons like accountability are an important part of protecting their future and nurturing independence. She says that though it might be hard, trust the teacher when it comes to grading. “Let us grade and let the grade stand instead of trying to strong-arm us into letting kids redo everything. Don’t blame us like the less-than-A is our fault if we didn’t maintain daily contact to give updates on every movement of your child. Accept that a grade can lower in the last week. It happens. Not everyone gets an A. Accept that. Please.”
Be Open to Help
Sometimes children will need outside services. This can be in the form of tutoring, coaching, mental health services, etc. There is no shame in needing outside services, referral services, or additional testing and insight. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if your child is struggling. And if a teacher expresses concerns, try to be open in communicating about what might be most beneficial for the student.
Lisa King has been a teacher for 14 years. She says that another important thing that parents can do is to keep the teachers updated on things that might be going on outside of school that can impact the student during their school day. “Contact us when something huge has happened in the child’s life that may make it so that they aren’t able to focus, or may make them extra emotional. Many parents will contact the guidance counselor to let them know that a family member died or something else huge has happened. That information does not always get relayed to the teachers. When we know what’s going on with our kids, we can modify our approach towards them.”
Show Appreciation
Amy Virginia has been teaching for 9 years. She cannot stress enough how important simple kindness is. She encourages parents to approach teachers with empathy and understanding. “We’re doing the best we can with the very little we have. This past year I’ve been cursed out and called horrible names by some parents. And I’ve also been treated with the most genuine kindness and generosity by other families. And let me tell you, I cried on both occasions. But the kindness made me feel like I was still in the right place. The kindness and recognition gave me the energy to get through the hard days.”
Showing our children appreciation for their efforts is a great way to encourage a positive mindset toward education and can help transform the entire attitude in the classroom. Praise kids for trying hard, making progress, and for showing up!
Maria Grosskettler has been an educator for 12 years. “From the time they [children] are born, help instill in them patience, perseverance, compassion, and self-motivation. It’s the life skills that matter most in the classroom. The academics will follow all in good time.”
Be Kind
Kindness is power. Stacie Henson has been a teacher for 15 years. She says that even the smallest bit of kindness can have lasting impact on students and teachers alike. “Teach them [kids] to be kind! So many problems can be avoided by the “don’t say anything if you don’t have anything nice to say” rule.”
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Jillian Amodio is a mother of two, mental health advocate and creator of Moms For Mental Health. She is passionate about family, health and wellness, and spreading joy like glitter! She lives in Cape Saint Claire with her husband, children, and crazy dog.