Family Involvement in Your Child's Education: Grades 1-3

Your involvement in your child’s education during the elementary school years will help him or her be successful now and in the future. When parents are involved, children have more friendships, behavior better in school and have higher levels of achievement. You can be involved in many different ways, but finding the best way for you and your child is important. Below are suggestions to help you get started.

What can parents do?

Raising your child

• Give your child time when he has your undivided attention;
• Encourage and praise your child;
• Encourage your child to have friendships with other children;
• Set rules for your child;
• Spend time with your child;
• Make sure your child to gets enough sleep;
• Provide your child healthy meals and snacks;
• Talk to your child about how to be safe at home and in the community; and
• Ensure you child receives health care.

Communicating with your child’s school

• Attend school functions such as open houses, parent teacher conferences and family fun nights;
• Contact your child’s teacher when you have questions;
• Visit your child’s classroom;
• Attend parent-teacher organization and other committee meetings;
• Volunteer at school;
• Ask your child’s teachers for ideas about how you can help your child at home;
• Let your child’s teacher know when he or she is struggling with schoolwork , or if you think your child is not being challenged.

Encouraging Learning At Home

• Read to your child and/or listen to your child read every day;
• Give your child time to play and use her imagination; 
• Help your child pursue her interests by reading, taking lessons, talking with others, or joining a group or after school program;
• Visit new places like parks, museums or other neighborhoods; 
• Encourage your child to do his homework on his own, but give help when your child is struggling;
• Ask your child about her homework. “What homework do you have tonight?” “How did your homework go, was it hard?” “Did you understand all of it?”; 
• Ask your child about school. “What did you learn today?” “Who did you play with today?” “What was the best part of your school day?”;
• Expect your child to do well in school. Your attitudes affect your child’s motivation to learn.

For More Information

Click on the links below for more family oriented information.

• Helping Your Child Succeed in School -- Helping Your Child Series
• Helping Your Child Become a Reader
• Reading Tips for Parents
• Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn To Read
• PTA: 100 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed In School
• National Association for the Education of Young Children: Parent Resources

References

Caspe, M., Lopez. M.E., Wolos, C. (2006, Spring). Family Involvement In Elementary School Children’s’ Education. Family Involvement Makes a Difference: Evidence that family involvement promotes school success for every child of every age. No. 2 in a series. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/elementary.html

Henderson, A.T., Mapp, K.L., Johnson, V.R., and Davies, D. (2007).  Beyond the Bake Sale:  The essential guide to family-school partnerships. New York: The New Press.