Strengthening Your Child's Academic Future
by Superintendent Mike Barry
February 01, 2007
In classrooms across America, academic standards are being raised. This means that for students, parents and teachers, the greatest workout of a lifetime has begun: getting a child’s mind in top academic shape. To meet this challenge, collaboration between the home and school must be increased and strengthened.
For children to grow up to be knowledgeable, skilled and productive adults in the 21st century, they must receive more support and guidance than ever before. Unlike twenty or twenty-five years ago, we now live in a world of computers, Web sites and international competition. Parents must become familiar with their child’s academic workout, so that the child’s progress can be monitored along the way. The more that parents are involved and supportive, the more likely the child will love to learn and be successful in school.
Parents can be most helpful when they understand exactly what their child is expected to learn in school. That is why communication between the home and school is so important. Parents can help improve communication by sending teacher notes, calling, e-mailing or scheduling meetings when they have questions or concerns. Letting teachers know that you are interested, respecting school district decisions, and treating educators as professionals sets a good example for your child.
Academic standards are organized around key subjects. By reinforcing learning at school with learning at home, you can help ensure that your child meets higher academic standards. The following are suggested activities you can do at home, beginning in the early grades, to help your child in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science:
- Encourage reading for other purposes beyond school. At the breakfast table, help your child read the cereal box, or, on the road, have your child read signs.
- Encourage your child to read at least 30 minutes a day, especially in the summer when children often lose ground in reading skills.
- On holidays, help your child make cards and write greetings to friends and relatives. On vacations, encourage him or her to keep a journal.
- At the grocery store, involve your child in tracking down bargains and comparing prices.
- While watching a baseball game, teach him or her about the math of batting averages and other statistics.
- If you are building something at home or wrapping presents, involve your child in figuring out how to calculate the amount of material needed.
- Use your family’s history to help your child write about or record family stories to understand how history connects us with the past.
- Encourage your child’s natural interest in geography at home by buying a puzzle of the U.S., and by having your child follow your route on a map when you travel.
- Promote civic responsibility by taking your child with you to vote on Election Day.
- Encourage your child’s curiosity about the natural world. Observe and record how many different kinds of plants and animals live in a particular area.
- Ask your child to observe and describe changes in water when it boils, melts, evaporates, freezes or condenses.
At parent teacher conferences, parents should take advantage of this time to ask the following questions:
1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year?
2. What kind of projects and assignments are in place to help my child meet
higher academic standards?
3. How will my child be evaluated?
4. What can I do to stay more involved in my child’s academic progress?
5. How can I know on a daily basis what homework has been assigned?
6. What can I do to complement what is happening in the classroom?
7. How do you accommodate differences in learning styles?
8. Are summer school, tutoring or other programs available for students who need more help?
As a parent, sometimes you may feel overwhelmed in trying to balance the many responsibilities of work and home. As this “list” of ways to help your child may seem burdensome, keep in mind that many of these tips involve activities and duties that we routinely do in our lives. By including your child, communicating with them, and allowing them to model after you, you are creating a valuable learning environment that will benefit them for life. Just as you should not expect your child to be perfect, don’t expect to be a perfect parent – no one is. Investing time into you child’s education will go a long way in helping him or her get in academic shape, and by having the right attitude and loving concern, your efforts will be rewarded.
