Success in school starts at home!

As parents, we play an important role in our children’s academic success. Our simple, everyday actions have a real impact on how they feel about school and their education in general. In subtle ways, we can positively influence their future.

Talking to your child about school is a great way to help them articulate their experiences and to show them you care. Ask questions and listen as they tell you about their daily ups and down, achievements, worries, and hardships.

Listening is just as important when it comes to your child’s relationships and social sphere. In school and in life, children are like clay waiting to be shaped. They’re still figuring themselves out and finding their place in the world. There are so many fruitful conversations you can have with them. All you need to do is take the time.

Our children sometimes forget that we were young once, too.
In their eyes, we’ve always been adults. By talking about your own academic path, you can find some common ground. Share your struggles and achievements. Tell them about the time you won the big dodgeball game, or when you got into an argument with your music teacher.

We are our children’s role models. They identify with us.
If they realize that we were once in their shoes, they’ll have an easier time looking toward the future. However, it’s important to stay positive when talking about school. If you struggled during your education, speaking badly about those experiences will only exacerbate the problem. Painting school in a good light is the most effective strategy.

Consistency is key.
A parent can never offer their child too much support or encouragement. When they’re doing well, it’s important to recognize their successes. When they’re doing poorly or behaving badly, taking the right approach is essential.

It’s important to have fun with our kids!
Try to make school fun for your child, whether it’s by inventing absurd memorization techniques to help them study or by gift wrapping every item in their lunchbox on December 20 (yes, I really did that). If your child enjoys going to class, both your lives will be much easier.

We all lead busy lives. It sometimes feels like there aren’t enough hours in a day to get everything done. But being involved in your child’s academic environment (e.g., as a member of the school’s governing board, a chaperone during a class field trip, a volunteer at the end-of-year BBQ) can have an incredible impact on how they feel about school.

When your child sees that you’re investing energy into their education, they understand that you care about them. Your involvement also helps them view school as a positive environment that brings together the entire community.