How to be an Involved Parent at School

Gone are the days when parents were only seen at school during PTMs or Annual Functions. New age parents want to be more involved with the school their child goes to. Research has also shown parental involvement in schools has "positive effect on child's success." Department of Education says "parental involvement in the classroom is a key factor in improving students' academic performance. Returning to the classroom and showing up to school translates into your child's overall success."

There are so many questions that we face. How to stop ourselves from be over-involved? How to take out time from our super busy schedules? Just because these questions keep hovering over our mind, these cannot stop us from knowing what is happening at our kids schools. Here are some tips I read on the internet which will help us become informed and involved as parents.

Experts believe better interaction happens when your child is younger, because teachers are eager to share things with the parent to understand the child better, also to make the parents feel better. So if your young child is in school, you can try the following:

• Being a story teller, I have a tip for you which I can vouch for. Be a reader at school, the school and kids will love to have you come and share stories with them. Sprinkle your stories with lots of songs/age appropriate activities and viola you will become a star in no time.
• Preschools invite some parents to help them with preparations for annual day/other function. Have time in hand? Get involved. 
• Do not miss parent days which are a part of all schools now a days. 
• Schools mostly invite some parents over to judge certain small events, be there and participate if needed. 

Getting an opportunity to get involved is tough in senior schools, but it isn't impossible.

• Story telling is becoming a part of the big schools as well.... so you can be the school's story teller.
• Schools have Career days where parents share their experience. All schools do not have these activities, you can always suggest. 
• Have a talent which can help the school, request school for a Drama/Green Earth/Debate etc club which you can organize after school.

At a Parent Teacher Meeting:

• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your child. You can put your point across if you do not believe something, but do try and listen with an open mind.
• Once you come at a consensus, find out how the teacher is going to support the strengths and weaknesses, and how can you support as a parent.
• If you have gone to a new class make sure you check how the child is settling down. Parents tend to take this very lightly. 
• Do not be afraid to ask questions, especially in new schools teachers can act a little pricey. 
• Try to take notes, so that you and the teacher are on the same page. 
• Avoid blaming the teacher, though some teachers out there do mess up with their career :). Most of them know what they are doing. 
• Don't be defensive, listen and then put across your point. 
• Lastly remember to keep a track of notes, messages, emails, other communication from the school and make notes of anything you need to.

*Pictures taken from Google.