How to Be An Involved Parent at School
Why and How to Get Involved in Your Child’s School
Want to know what’s going on at your child’s school? Getting involved with some of their everyday and special events is a great way to immerse yourself in your child’s school world. However, for kids with special needs, it can be a little disruptive to have you just show up and upset their schedule.
When you do get involved, and if you can do it on a regular basis, it shows your children that you care and that you won’t be fooled much for false reports by your child or the school staff.
There are actually quite a few ways to be involved, depending on your child’s school and class schedule.
Join the PTA
Most schools still carry on the tradition of establishing a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). The purpose of the PTA is to hold regular meetings to determine which policies are working for the school and also to implement new programs and/or field trips.
The PTA also works to involve parents in as much of their children’s activities as they wish to be involved in. Teachers, principals and parents all work together to ensure that the children are receiving the best possible education and home life.
There can be mama drama here, but it’s also a fantastic way to meet other parents and help educate them about your child and his or her special needs.
Volunteer to Go on Field Trips
Volunteering to go on field trips is a great way to become involved in your children’s academic lives. Field trips are usually designed to teach children lessons in correspondence to their education. If you can arrange it, either by taking a day off of work or shelving other obligations, being there with your child to experience the field trip first-hand can be a rewarding experience.
If it is not possible for you to attend, try to arrange for another family member such as your spouse, aunts and uncles or grandparents to attend. This way your child will be able to share in the experience at the moment and this will be a great experience for you both.
When my girls were younger and went on lots of trips, my mother would attend when I couldn’t. Because my daughter didn’t talk much, Gramma was able to tell me about what they saw and did, which often jogged my daughter’s memory and helped her talk about it too.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Other than joining the PTA, you can establish a regular school presence by volunteering to come in and read to the class, if such policy allows. Otherwise, having a hands-on approach to holiday parties can be a great way to establish your presence as well.
If you are crafty, you can help design the decorations and invitations for children to bring home to share with their family members. You can even volunteer to come in and teach children a particular craft that will be easy for them to do outside of school. This may also interest other parents in becoming more involved as well, creating a win-win situation.
If being directly involved in your child’s room would upset them, you could volunteer to help out in another classroom that is not far off. This way, you get to know staff members and still get to be near by when your child has a rough day.
Being involved in your child’s education and school life can be a great way to help your child develop a life-long love of learning. By experiencing field trips first-hand with the children and getting involved in school matters, it opens the doors to possible future improvements in your child’s school system.
Schools tend to appreciate outside help, especially when the budgets may not allow for much legroom. So contact your child’s teacher and school today and see how you can get involved. Your child will thank you.
Do you or did you help in your child’s school? Was it a good experience?
Brandi
10/07/2014 @ 10:00 PM
Good information for those with kids.
Tanya
10/07/2014 @ 9:59 PM
Great tips to keep in mind as my toddler grows-up.
katrina g
10/07/2014 @ 6:59 PM
my daughters go to a small private school and we all have to be involved.
celeste
10/07/2014 @ 6:34 PM
As a teacher, I love it when parents volunteer in the classroom and being involved in their child activities.
celeste recently posted…12 Cute Infant & Toddler Girls Halloween Costumes
Carissa
10/07/2014 @ 11:34 AM
Great tips! My daughter isn’t school age yet, but I definitely want to be involved when she’s in school.
Carissa recently posted…How I Make the Most of the Open Enrollment Period When Shopping for Insurance
Alexandria Gunn
10/07/2014 @ 11:03 AM
My mum used to volunteer to be a chaperone on field trips. I remember her being there on one of mine, and I really wanted to stay as far away from her as possible! Haha!
My daughter is still too young for school, but I will probably find a way with the crafts to be involved. I don’t know if I’ll have enough time for volunteering on PTAs and field trips with everything that I do. But I would like to be involved in some way.
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Letty C.
10/07/2014 @ 10:29 AM
I have done all of this whenever the time permits. I am a working mom and sometimes my schedule doesn’t permit me to be as involved as I want to be.
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Cynthia Dixon
10/07/2014 @ 8:48 AM
What an informative article Jenn with some very helpful information. This is a great post for parents with kids who’re just starting school or as you’ve stated, want to take a part in their child’s education.
Cynthia Dixon recently posted…Are you guilty of being a Copycat Internet Marketer
crystal touchton
10/07/2014 @ 8:13 AM
My involvement has increased and decreased over the years depending on the individual needs of my children. I actually sat in class with my youngest almost every day during prek because that’s what he needed. If I wasn’t there he would be removed from class because of his inattention and disruptive behavior, but if I was there I could give him non verbal reminders to get back on task. My oldest son had frequent performances and parties and I was at each one because that’s what he needed. I don’t volunteer a lot, but I’m always available to my child’s teacher and encourage communication. This is a great post to get people thinking about how they can be more involved.
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Eileen
10/07/2014 @ 6:25 AM
When my kids were still little, I did participate in school activities. I particularly liked social mobilization and outreach activities where the kids helped pack relief goods for flood and other disaster victims. It taught my kids to show how to care for the less fortunate. My children are now all young adults and they still actively participate in these kinds of activities to foster social good.
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Jan Kearney
10/07/2014 @ 1:41 AM
Schools are often looking for volunteers – from assisting in projects or trips to fundraising. While I couldn’t do regular time slots, I got a lot out of being involved a couple of times per year when my daughter was at school.
Jan Kearney recently posted…Dealing With Yelp Business Reviews [Infographic]
Kungphoo
10/06/2014 @ 10:37 PM
What a helpful post 🙂 My parents were involved with my school and it gave us something to talk about and made me happy! Great tips
Elizabeth Copeland
10/06/2014 @ 9:45 PM
This is the first year that I have had a child at “school.” My youngest is in preschool, and the others are homeschooled. I know that there are some mystery reader opportunities coming up, as well as some days that parents are invited to come in for special activities.
Elizabeth Copeland recently posted…Ten Things Parenting Books Don’t Tell You
karissa
10/06/2014 @ 9:23 PM
Great post and I agree it’s so important to get involved with their school lives.
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Lesley
10/06/2014 @ 9:13 PM
I homeschool, so I’m definitely involved! LOL I agree though with all your tips here for helping your children.
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Amber NElson
10/06/2014 @ 7:57 PM
There are so many ways to be involved. I unfortunately don’t have a lot of time with my job. But I do help out with homework and buy supplies like Kleenex and Clorox wipes for their classroom when needed.
Amber NElson recently posted…YOU’RE INVITED: It’s A Pampers “Bebe Con Ritmo” Twitter Party!
Mel Day
10/06/2014 @ 7:32 PM
interestingly enough my parents were not involved in my schooling in any way. It’s never bothered me. I therefore have no comparison to know how it impacts a child or informs the parent. It does seem to be another thing a parent can be made to feel guilty about, especially with the need to work and commute. For those with the time and inclination though, there are good ideas here.
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Alana
10/06/2014 @ 6:14 PM
My husband and I were both involved when my son was in pre school and in elementary school. When I was unemployed I volunteered for PTA fundraisers and also volunteered in the school library. It amazed me how very grateful the teachers and other staff were for the parent volunteers – and this was over 15 years ago. Another advantage of being in the school is that the staff gets to know you as a person, not just as so-and-so’s Mom. But too many parents nowadays are in a bind. They feel if they take too much time off (even if it is vacation time they have earned) they will be the first to be laid off. For families one paycheck away from disaster, this can be a real concern. And not everyone has family in the area to “sub” for them. It’s a balance, a hard, hard balance.
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Amber NElson
10/06/2014 @ 5:26 PM
I do not have the time to be volunteer, however I do try to help out with any products they may need at school.
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Joan Garrison
10/06/2014 @ 5:03 PM
I helped with my children’s school while they were in grade school. I use to go to my son’s class to read to them.
Minette
10/06/2014 @ 5:01 PM
My kids are in middle school and high school and I am no longer active in the PTA. I have volunteered in the classrooms, served on PTA and helped with lots of events and field trips over the years. My kids see me being engaged and committed and that matters to me. I do all of this even though I work full time. I love being an entrepreneur and having the freedom to schedule my work and still have time for kids. Now that they are older, my volunteer duties are focused on their interests and being engaged in activities like marching band where they are spending their time. I love staying involved and I also love seeing how my kids interact and connect with others outside the home, very insightful!!
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Amy
10/06/2014 @ 4:46 PM
I was always happy to have my folks involved with my school activities. And they were there for me when I needed help with homework, too! The school years go so quickly.
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