There are many ways that parents can support their children’s learning at home and throughout the school year.
Work collaboratively with school staff
- Inform the teacher you want to help your child learn, and that you want to be contacted if any problems occur.
- Familiarise yourself with the school staff who are all there to assist your child’s academic, social and emotional growth.
- Attend parent-teacher conferences and if you have a concern at any time, make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher.
- Read all the information sent home from the school.
- Volunteer at your child’s school.
Support your child’s learning
- Inquire if your child is experiencing any difficulties and ask how you can help.
- Establish a regular time for homework, and remove all distractions.
- Display a positive attitude about education and the school to your children.
- Demonstrate that learning can be enjoyable.
- Limit your child’s television, video games, and Internet use.
- Encourage and model reading to your child.
- Talking with and listening to your child will develop their language skills, and show them you are interested in what they have to say.
- Active learning is promoted when you listen to your child’s ideas and respond to them.
- Encourage your child to use the library.
- Give your child opportunities to develop responsibility and independence.
- Encourage active learning which can occur through sports, spending time with friends, acting in a school play, playing a musical instrument or visiting museums and bookstores.