Parents Learn Ways to Help Children Succeed

Nobody said parenting is easy, but those who attended Wednesday's Parent Involvement Conference at Abundant Life Church in Glen Burnie may have gained useful insight to help them be better advocates for their children.

The Parent Involvement Conference featured a presentation by John W. Hodge, vice president of Hampton, VA-based Urban Learning and Leadership Center Inc.

"We try to instill in children the things we want to see," Hodge said.

Hodge told those in attendance there are three areas he emphasizes as highly important when educating children—their social, academic and moral environments.

"It's really important we send our children to school in a positive way," he said.

Hodge asked participants how they would like their children to be as adults. 

Several people answered. One said she would like to know that hard work they do now will pay off, while another said she would like for the children she works with to be happy and productive.

"I want my kids to be clean, honest and hard-working," an unidentified woman said during the beginning of Hodge's presentation.

Laura Kooyman, who teaches at Fort Meade, said she attended the conference to gain ideas about how to encourage more parents to become involved with their children's schools and education.

During his work with students and educators, Hodge said people of varying backgrounds and skills are called upon to impart wisdom and education to young people.

For example, he cited the times when a non-professional teacher from the same neighborhood as the school was used to give the children etiquette lessons. Hodge said the things children learn such as etiquette could prove extremely useful when they are adults. They are things they might not have been exposed to by their parents.

He also stressed that teachers and parents must be on the same page for students to succeed.

Hodge said stress can be a serious consideration for parents and their children because it can truly deter them from their ability to focus and learn in school.

"We have to acknowledge that stress is real," he said.

If children are sent stressed out to school in the morning, they may be unable to learn, or it will make learning more difficult.

Hodge used a quote from Megan R. Gunnar of the Institute of Child Development to illustrate how stress works.

"One of the biggest destroyers of memory is stress. When a child is stressed, the brain releases high levels of cortisol into the bloodstream. This destroys glucose and slows brain function," he read. 

Another way parents can help their children be successful educationally and otherwise is to truly know them. He suggested they be well-rounded by being involved in the arts, athletics and advanced placement courses so they are challenged.

"Who are your children's peers and do you know them? That's a big one," he said.

At the end of his presentation, Hodge said coaches are often times good encouragers for children because they expect the best from them.

He said continued dialogue between educators and parents will benefit everyone.

"I've spoken to you from my heart," he told the audience.

After the conference ended, Anne Weaver, parent involvement specialist for AACPS Office of Schools and Family Partnerships, said other parental involvement conferences are held throughout the year. 

"I was blown away by some of the comments people have," she said. "From my point of view, it was a huge success."