10 Ways to Be Involved in Your Child's Education

While most parents know the importance of getting a child ready to go back to school, we sometimes underestimate the role the parent plays in their child's success at school.

Research on effective schools and student's achievements shows that parent involvement boosts grades and improves schools.

But what kind of involvement should parents engage in? Posing the questions to local principals reveals which activities work best.

The following list is a compilation of ideas offered by local principals: Christine Molle at the , Sean Kileen at the , Glen McKay at the and Catherine O'Connell at the .

1. Volunteer at your child's school. Volunteering in classrooms, the library, as a room parent, on field trips and enrichment activities fosters positive behaviors and attitudes in students. 

McKay reports that the Hood School incorporated volunteering in the school's improvement plan.

2. Join school organizations. Principals encourage parents to join the School Parents' Association and School Council. When children see parents set aside time for discussion about programs and policies they take education seriously.

3. Talk about School. Principals note the importance of talking about your child's day at school. They encourage parents to discuss the fun things, the hard parts and what the child is looking forward to.

"Make it a regular part of your day when the kids get home from school or at the dinner table," said Molle.

4. Establish routines. On school days children should have a set routine each morning, when they get home from school and after dinner. The routine should become automatic. Parents can create check lists and give reminders.  

5. Provide support. School-aged children meet many challenges each day. Lending support in homework as well as the times children feel anxious or frustrated, confused or left out will help them get through their ups and downs.

6. Check backpacks. Students may not always remember when notes are sent home or when flyers are sent out. Checking for these things as well as looking for their homework assignments notebook will help organize your child.

7. Challenge your child. If your child is challenged at home they will come to see that there are more ways for them to learn and be creative than they might have imagined. It positions the child to meet the challenges that come along as they move to the next grade.

8. Read together. One of the greatest explorations a child can have comes to them through books. Shared reading is special time. Reading with a parent is a bonding experience that puts books at the heart of a child's learning and prepares them for the independent work that will come in the upper grades.

9. Notice learning experiences at home. Daily lives are filled with opportunities for learning. Words in our environment either spoken or found in the media can spur attention to language and vocabulary.

Kitchen science can be a source of fun. Measuring ingredients in cooking, knowing how much meat weighs and how many minutes it will take to cook etc. reinforces curiosity and establishes in your child's mind that things have order and are done through following procedure.

History, geography and other disciplines are all around us. If there is a holiday we celebrate, talk about it. If the Patriots are traveling to a game in Denver, look it up on the map together. Know the climate and discuss the implications. 

Make connections at home with what your child is learning at school.

10. Model adult learning. Let your child know that you are always learning, too. As an adult and parent you ask questions to learn more from experts. You read things that interest you. You discuss movies and TV programs you've seen. Draw your child's attention to your learning.