Parent Center

Studies have indicated that children whose parents and/or other significant adults share in their formal education tend to do better in school. Some benefits that have been identified that measure parental involvement in education include:

• Higher grades and test scores
• Long term academic achievement
• Positive attitudes and behavior

All parents want their children to become successful, caring adults. Similarly, many parents want to be involved with the formal education of their children. Sometimes, however, they don't know where to start, when to find the time, or how to go about making positive connections with the school. At the most basic level, parents can begin encouraging the education of their children by showing that they truly value education themselves.

Your presence at your child's school as a volunteer will be a bigger motivating factor for your child than you might think. You may not realize it, but she, as well as the others in the classroom, keenly observes what you do. It will make her feel good to see that you care enough about her to help out in her class or elsewhere at her school.

According to the National PTA, when you are involved, your child achieves greater success. Help your child succeed by instilling classroom values. Important steps to being a good student includes listening and taking part in class discussions, asking questions, and handing homework in on time.

MAKE IT EASY TO STUDY.

Create an area that works for your child. Do they work best at a desk in a quiet area of their room? Or, is the dining room table a better place to work? Does music distract them, or help them focus? Help your child determine what works best for them.

STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF GOAL SETTING.

A new school year is a perfect time to sit down with your kids and help them set goals. Have them write their goals down - or help them with that if they are too young. Try to let them come up with the ideas for their own goals as much as possible.

HELP YOUR KIDS MANGE THEIR TIME.

At the beginning of the school year, it's easy to sign up for too many activities, events and

committees. You need to determine how many different things each child will participate in. When will you have dinner together as a family? When will homework be done? For what chores is each family member responsible, and when will they be done? Create a family calendar in a centralized location so everyone is aware of the day's activities.