The best way to promote good learning habits in children is through a joint effort, involving both families and schools. This way responsibility is shared for creating a better working relationship which is concentrated towards the child\’s overall development. Parents can help out the education received at school and the effort made by the teachers by implementing some simple measures at home. These include:
Reading Together:
When adult family members read out aloud to or with their children on a regular basis, the interest level of the child improves. Taking children to the library and helping them find suitable books is another way of inculcating reading and learning habits among them. Such habits assist the teachers in improving upon the child’s reading, writing and general learning skills.
Establishing a Family Routine:
Routines could include setting up a timeframe for completing homework, running household errands, eating meals and watching television. A family routine balances and complements the disciplining being conducted at school by the teachers.
Using Television:
Parents should limit the amount of time spent by children, watching the television. They should help the child choose the appropriate programs for viewing. Some TV programs help raise the level of curiosity in certain subjects and act as a resource for the lessons being taught in school.
Keep in Touch:
Parents should be aware of what the children are learning, in terms of their assignments, projects and examinations. A child’s progress should be ascertained with regular communication with the teachers and by regularly attending the PTA meetings.
Praise and Encouragement:
Parents and families play a significant role in affecting a child’s confidence and motivation to become a good student. They should encourage the child to complete his weekly assignments and participate in extracurricular activities as well.
Teachers contribute to the child’s classroom learning. However, they can increase the child’s performance by involving the parents and making them a part of the education imparted. This can be done by:
Involving Parents in Activities:
Teachers can increase the scope of involvement of families by asking for their help with specific activities. Parents can participate by organizing classroom materials or by serving on some school committee or providing their spare time at classroom activities. The more involved parents are likely to understand the teacher’s practices and expectations from the students.
Involving Parents in Decision-making:
A parents’ perspective should be discussed before making decisions about the children’s teaching tools. School programs should involve the family members in setting academic goals for the children. Parents should be informed about the changing school policies and services. Parent/teacher conferences should be looked upon as an opportunity to exchange viewpoints and deciding upon the best possibilities for improving the child’s performance.