7 Reasons Why You Should Be Involved In Your Child's Education

22 Jul 2009
By Shane Hardcastle
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A core belief we have here at the Learning Guardian is that parents make a difference in their children’s education. After almost 15 years of teaching, I have experienced first-hand how important it is for parents to be actively involved. But don’t just take my word for it! Below is a summary of the findings of major worldwide research into parental involvement:

  • When parents are involved in their children's education at home, they do better in school. And when parents are involved in school, children go farther in school;
  • The family makes critical contributions to student achievement from preschool through high school. A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level or cultural background;
  • Reading achievement is more dependent on learning activities in the home than is math or science. Reading aloud to children is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child's chance of reading success.
  • When children and parents talk regularly about school, children perform better academically.
  • Three kinds of parental involvement at home are consistently associated with higher student achievement: actively organizing and monitoring a child's time, helping with homework and discussing school matters.
  • The earlier that parent involvement begins in a child's educational process, the more powerful the effects.
  • Positive results of parental involvement include improved student achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior, and restored confidence among parents in their children's schooling.

Involvement in your child's education can mean:

  • Reading to your child
  • Checking homework every night
  • Discussing your children's progress with teachers
  • Limiting TV viewing on school nights

Or, it can be as simple as asking your children, "How was school today?" But ask every day. That will send your children the clear message that their schoolwork is important to you and you expect them to learn.

Some parents and families are able to be involved in their child's education in many ways. Others may only have time for one or two activities. I understand this as I have the same issues with my own children! The best advice that I can give is: whatever your level of involvement, do it consistently and stick with it because you will make an important difference in your child's life. An old Chinese proverb states “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”

No matter where you live, what stage your children are at, or what they tell you, the things you do and say count. Let’s make it count in a positive way!

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