Parental involvement in a child's education takes on many forms. Perhaps one of the best frameworks for involvement comes from Joyce Epstein of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland. In her six types of parental involvement, Epstein (2004) identifies learning at home as essential for the maximization of student achievement.
It is important to note that Epstein was not speaking of virtual education. She was speaking of additional activities either directly or indirectly related to a child's education. Taking the time daily to discuss a student's work accomplished for the day can make a difference in the learning process. The student has already read the material and answered the questions; the student now have the opportunity to reinforce this learning by explaining the ideas and concepts to the parent. This also allows the parent to evaluate if the student is using the curriculum correctly or if modifications to the student learning process need to be made.
The home activities of learning that are less obvious are often indirectly related to a child's formal education. When was the last time you took your child to the library? Does your child read other than materials assigned for school? Have you taken the time to listen to your child read? Listening to a child read will help the parent to pick up on deficiencies within a child's ability. Do you discuss reading materials with your child after they have been read? Doing so will help you to evaluate your children's level of comprehension as well as their ability to think creatively. Discussions do not necessarily have to stay within the scope of the material read. These discussions are great opportunities to discover what lesson the student learned from reading the book, what point the student feels the author was trying to get across, and even what students would have done differently had they written the book.
Educational discussions with the child do not simply have to be academic or book-related. Do you know what your child is watching on TV? Have you considered sitting and watching with your child and then discussing the show afterwards? Have you taken your child to a special place or community event? If so, there are likely many opportunities during or after the event to discuss educational aspects of the event with your child. Students can and should learn from their daily experiences.
Often young students will draw pictures or write a short story for their parents. These are often exclaimed over and displayed. When was the last time you asked your middle school or high school students about things they had drawn or written? By viewing artwork or reading a story your child wrote, you can learn about his thought processes, abilities, and interests. If you learn that your child is interested in architecture, this would help you to plan attendance at special places or events that would allow your child greater exposure to architecture. Your child's interests are being stimulated, and education is taking place in an area of specific interests.
This month, take the time to identify areas where you could assist your child in learning. Whether you want to start a family book club where you and your teenagers read a book and discuss it chapter by chapter or whether you plan a trip to the local museum or a basketball game, there are many opportunities (often inexpensive or free) to educate your child at home in addition to the formal courses of education in which your child is enrolled.
Epstein, J. L. & Salinas, K. C. (2004). Partnering with families and communities. Educational Leadership, 12-18.
Deborah Secord, Ed.D.
Assistant Principal