The Benefits of Staying Active in Your Child’s School Life

Published September 1, 2021

You’ve all heard the phrase “teamwork makes the dream work.” But did you know this philosophy also applies to your child’s education? Teachers will always lead the charge. But when a parent takes an active role in their kid’s school life, that kid usually wins big. So, let’s take a look at a few of the most compelling reasons for a parent to support their child’s academic journey.

How Getting Involved Benefits Your Child

  • Students Perform Better Academically
    The research shows that there’s a strong link between the involvement of the parents and the academic performance of their kids. The students with engaged parents tend to get better grades and score higher on standardized tests.
  • Students’ Attendance Improves
    The active parents also have kids with better attendance, a higher graduation rate, and lower drop-out rate. In other words, when you show up for your kids, they have a way of showing up for school.
  • Students’ Behavior Improves
    Engaged parents also had students who behaved better in the classroom, had more ambition outside of it, and had a more positive attitude towards homework. They even developed higher self-esteem, were more motivated, and had better social skills.
  • It Helps the Teachers Do Their Best
    When the students are engaged, well-behaved, and have done their homework, the teachers are primed to come in and do a great job for the kids. By making sure that your child is ready to learn, you’re also making sure that the teachers are ready to teach. Everyone performs their best when they’re set up for success.

How to Support Your Child’s Academic Journey

You’re probably wondering what getting involved actually looks like. So, here are a few ways that you can really activate and set your child up for success.

  • Hold Your Kids Accountable
    A huge part of every kid’s education is showing up for class and completing their homework assignments. So, try to stay informed, get a sense for the expectations, and make sure your kids are meeting those expectations.
  • Create a Home Environment That’s Conducive to Learning
    Students do their best when they have a quiet, dedicated place to complete their homework assignments. So, you can help by creating that quiet space and doing your part to eliminate distractions.
  • Communicate High Expectations
    Kids have a way of performing to the expectation. If you encourage your children to do their absolute best, they’re more inclined to put their best foot forward.
  • Volunteer At School
    Occasionally, the school needs volunteers, chaperones, or parents to serve on certain committees. Parents who stepped into those roles help bring out the best in their students.
  • Monitor Their Progress
    Ask how your kids did on their assignments, go over their report card, and get a feel for how things are going. If your kid is running into challenges, that’s okay! But it’s great to be aware of the situation as it’s happening. That way, you can reach out to the teacher, learn more, and help get things back on track. You might even learn that your child is gifted in a certain area and can encourage them to explore that gift.
  • Talk Through Decisions
    Your child will have to make a ton of different decisions throughout their school life. How are they spending their free time? Which extracurriculars are they pursuing? Are they choosing to read or watch TV? Who are they hanging out with? By talking through these decisions, parents can help their kids stay on a fun, challenging, and positive path. You’ve probably heard the old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” And when it comes to education, we’re all a part of that village. The teachers are excited to come in each day and really do their part. In fact, they’ve dedicated their entire careers to it. But the students tend to soar just a little bit higher when they get an extra lift from their parents.

Want to Learn More?

Check out these resources for more information on the benefits of getting involved in your child’s academic life.

https://www.waterford.org/education/how-parent-involvment-leads-to-student-success/
https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/hdfs/fii/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/fia_brchapter_20c02.pdf