Education is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life. It is not only something that shapes the individual but also has an effect on life choices and careers. And while it’s easy to brush off education as something that students pursue exclusively in school, it’s up to parents to nurture their children through education – for example, by reading books together or engaging in stimulating conversation. But how exactly can parents be the most supportive teachers to their children? This article will discover some best practices for being an active participant in your child’s education.

Becoming a part of your child’s education doesn’t always mean getting involved in school life. There are a number of other ways that you can take an active role in your child’s education without having to visit school daily (although we highly encourage such visits for building relationships with staff, etc.). Here are some tips you can take toward becoming an active participant in your child’s education:

9 Ways to Be an Active Participant in Your Kid’s Education

Step 1. Set the Example Education is not just a classroom experience. It also happens in real life – from learning to play an instrument to participate in extracurricular activities that develop skills and talents. Whatever your child wants to do, become an example for them by being engaged yourself in a similar activity. If your young kid wants to learn how to play the piano, for instance, then join them in their lessons and practice sessions once you get the hang of it. Be sure to keep up with your education as well!

Step 2. Encourage Creativity Not all young children are born with the same amount of creativity. But encouraging your child to use their imagination and creativity to come up with their own ideas and projects can be a way for them to feel confident about who they are and help them learn how to think outside the box.

Step 3. Engage in Conversatio To keep communication flowing among parents and children, maintain a healthy discussion going – from discussing concepts related to education, school activities, and even life lessons (no judgment!) to talking about past experiences or what you’re thankful for. Kids need more genuine people in their lives who can relate to them.

Step 4. Reiterate The Classroom Learning at Your Home By reiterating classroom learning at your home, you can be an active participant in your kid’s education. For you to do it, you should know what things are happening inside the classroom. Communicating to your kid each day about what they did at school can give you ideas about what your kid is learning. For instance, if you have a kid in a Preschool. You can reiterate the activities at your home by involving your kid in the same activities around your house.

Step 5. Establish a Routine at Home During The Week Following a routine at home during the week can provide some consistency for your child. A consistent routine will ensure that your child knows what to expect on a daily basis so that they’re not always surprised by what they see or do. For instance, you can establish routines like doing homework at a specific time of the day, reading certain books each night before bed.

Step 6. Spend Time To Play With Them Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t play with your child. Spending time to play with your child – which includes engaging in intellectual and creative pursuits – can be an important way to learn more about the world around them and develop new skills through enjoying themselves. So don’t miss opportunities to get down on the floor and have fun!

Step 7. Attend Parent Organization Meetings To develop relationships with teachers and other parents, consider attending organizing parent meetings at school. Not only will you get to know your child’s teachers, but this meeting is also a way for you to stay updated on the activities of the school and find out what they have planned for the upcoming year.

Step 8. Volunteer In Your Kid’s School As with other institutions, schools have a variety of volunteer opportunities for those who want to help out and get involved – from tutoring students in the classroom after school to helping put on a play or organizing an event like a carnival. Your volunteer opportunities can help your child develop skills needed for success in later life, such as social skills, time management, conflict resolution, and teamwork.

Step 9. Be Supportive of their Activities Before you know it, your children will be doing whatever they want to do. But need to keep those dreams alive? A certain amount of support is essential if the child you raised is to go after what they want to do in life. So be supportive of your child’s interests and hobbies by participating in their activities and showing them where their talents can take them.

In the end, being an active participant in your child’s education can help you better understand what your kid is being taught at school, but it can also be an opportunity for you to play an essential role in their lives. From picking up some new skills together to discussing essential life lessons, there are so many things you and your young child can do together.

So don’t miss out on the opportunity to embrace your role as a parent and build lasting memories with your kids by getting involved in their educational experience.

Author Bio
I’m Andrea Gibbs Born, raised, and still living in New York. I’m a work-at-home mom with a background in business development, strategy, and social media marketing. I’m a blog contributor at Baby Steps Daycare in Forest Hills, New York to motivate and educate other parents about how they can get their children ahead of the game in school.