logo-nationalheritageResearch shows that active parental involvement improves a child’s success in school.  Parents engaged with their child’s school are more aware of their academic and social progress, which facilitates communication as the child continues to grow. There are a number of opportunities for parents to become involved at school, so don’t be discouraged if you’ve volunteered for an activity and found that it wasn’t the right fit for you. Simply try your hand at multiple activities to see what you are most comfortable with.

  • Make it clear before you begin just how much time you’re willing to volunteer. Even stay-at-home parents don’t have an unlimited amount of time to volunteer at their child’s school – many parents have other activities and interests, as well as other children to care for.
  • Don’t be afraid to say no if you’re being asked to do more than you feel comfortable with – just try to say it early enough so that someone else can be found to take your place, because many trips and activities can’t be taken unless the school has a certain number of chaperones or supervisors.

  • Start small. Don’t offer to coordinate the holiday bake sale, the band recital, and a swim meet all at once! If you’ve taken on too much, find out if you can delegate some duties to other interested parents.
  • Don’t give your child special treatment or extra attention when you’re volunteering at the school. Follow your child’s cues to find out how much interaction works for both of you. Most kids enjoy having their parents involved, but if your child seems uncomfortable with your presence at the school or with your involvement in a favorite activity, consider taking a more behind-the-scenes approach. Make it clear that you aren’t there to check up on him or her – you’re just trying to help out the school.
  • Get frequent feedback from the teachers and students you’re working with. Find out what’s most and least helpful to them, and get suggestions about what you can do to make the most of the time you spend on school activities. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open among teachers, administrators, students, and volunteers, and to be flexible and responsive as the needs of the students and the school change.

“Parental Partnerships is one of the four pillars on which National Heritage Academies was founded,” said Dave King, principal at NHA’s Ridge Park Charter Academy (http://ridgepark.heritageacademies.com). “Parents are an invaluable resource to our students and teaching staff. Whether it’s volunteering for playground duty during recess, shelving books in the library, chaperoning a field trip or helping plan a school carnival, NHA welcomes parents at school.”

Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/school.html