What Are Some Positive Effects of Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Classrooms?
There is never a bad time to get involved in your child̵7;s education, but perhaps one of the best times is at the beginning, in your child̵7;s early childhood classroom. The benefits for your child and limitless options for involvement present compelling reasons for you to be there. Children reap present and future benefits from parental involvement, and parents validate their position as their child̵7;s hero and role model.
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Modeling That Education Matters
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Parents and teachers serve as persuasive role models for young children. Let your powerful influence as your child̵7;s role model extend beyond home and into the school setting. Children observe that parents invest their time and energy in areas of significance. A parent̵7;s presence in their child̵7;s classroom sends an undeniable message to the child related to the importance of education. The parent communicates that both the child and the educational experience matter, reports Kids Health.
Staying Informed
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Parents who stay involved in their child̵7;s early childhood classroom stay informed. Parents receive newsletters and other forms of written communication from their child̵7;s school designed to keep parents informed regarding school events. Some teachers even provide a classroom website that permits parents to interact with the teacher. However, these alternate forms of communication cannot compete with interacting with your child̵7;s teacher and administrator on a face-to-face basis to learn about the school̵7;s daily activities. In other words, being there provides parents with the big picture, rather than the snapshot picture provided through indirect communication.
Reaping Benefits Now and Later
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Your involvement in your child̵7;s early childhood classroom promotes academic readiness skills and future school successes, reports the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Parental involvement benefits children̵7;s language, self-help, adaptive, social and motor skills development. There̵7;s more good news for involved parents. The advantages of parental involvement continue to benefit your child well beyond the preschool experience. Your involvement builds a positive foundation for future involvement at the elementary and secondary levels. And parents who get involved in their child̵7;s early education tend to remain involved.
Getting Involved
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There are many avenues for involvement in your child̵7;s classroom, but attending parent-teacher conferences is a cornerstone for involvement. Use these conferences as an opportunity to communicate important information about your child, and relate to the teacher as a valued team member. Ask your child̵7;s teacher about areas of need when you consider volunteering in your child̵7;s classroom. Some of the options may include tutoring, helping with fundraising events, organizing or chaperoning field trips, monitoring in the cafeteria and sharing talents or hobbies with the students.
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There is never a bad time to get involved in your child’s education, but perhaps one of the best times is at the beginning, in your child’s early childhood classroom. The benefits for your child and limitless options for involvement prese