University of Wisconsin - Extension

"Parent involvement" is a popular term these days, especially because research is showing that children do better in school when their parents are involved. But even if you enjoy spending time at your child's school, many working parents don't have time to volunteer in the classroom each week or bake treats for every special event.

"Even the term `parent involvement' tends to make a lot of parents feel guilty," said Gay Eastman, UW-Madison/Extension child development specialist and School Readiness Project coordinator. "But the most important types of parent involvement don't require parents to help out in their child's class. Instead, they have to do with opening the lines of communication with the school and clearly communicating to children the connection between school and home."

Eastman recommends connecting with your child's teachers as soon as possible in the new school year. Many schools offer open houses or parent-teacher conferences early in the year to make the connection easier. If your school doesn't, you may want to contact your child's teacher early on, letting him or her know you are interested and how and when you can be contacted."

For example, you might try to pick your child up at school sometime the first week, or send a note to tell the teacher about something your child enjoyed about the first few days of school.

"The family-teacher connection is usually stronger when parents make contact early in the year, and when the first interaction is positive," Eastman says. "It's much harder to have a cooperative relationship with schools if the first interaction is because of a concern or discipline issue."

Eastman says the other important way parents can be involved in their child's education is by helping their child see the connection between school and home. "When parents' attitudes and behaviors communicate that school is important and that you expect children to do their best, kids get the message that education matters to the family," Eastman said.

"Ask specific questions about the school day -- what was the silliest thing that happened, what books did you read, is there anything you need to bring or do for tomorrow? It doesn't have to take a lot of time -- you can talk about school while driving around in the car, at dinner or before bed."

Eastman said it's also important for parents to acknowledge children's feelings about school.

If they are having a hard time, affirm what they're going through and talk about strategies that might help. Try not to criticize the teacher or school curriculum, but simply try to support your child with comments like: "It sounds like you're having a hard time keeping up in math. Would it help if we practice the multiplication tables at home?" Practicing the skills learned at school when at home can help connect home and school. For instance, kids learning about fractions in math can help double a recipe. "One of the most important things parents can do is read every day to and with children.

Listening to children read can help them improve their skills, but reading aloud to children continues to be important, even for older, independent readers," Eastman said.

"It doesn't have to be story books. It can be comic books, magazines or directions to assemble a toy or appliance. Parents can do a lot to reinforce the idea that learning can be fun and is important."

Parents also can help make homework a family priority by establishing a regular time for school work and creating a well-lit area to work in with necessary supplies, like pens and paper.