• Babies
• Building a Family
• Children
• General Parenting
• Newborns
• Teenagers
• Toddlers
• Pregnancy

The Busy Parent's Guide to Raising Successful Students

Get involved in your child's school

The Busy Parent's Guide to Raising Successful Students

Research suggests that parental involvement in school is vital to a child's academic success. However, if you're a single parent, a working parent, or a parent with little spare time, you may find it difficult to find ways to get involved. The following list of recommendations comes from the Harvard Family Research Project, an organization committed to advancing education.

At school

1. Attend teacher-parent conferences. If the scheduling of conferences conflicts with your work schedule, speak to the teacher and principal about your situation, and work out a time when you can meet.
2. Get over your own insecurities. The Harvard Family Research Project found that parents who had negative childhood experiences at school are less likely to get involved in their children's academic programs, and may feel uncomfortable contacting teachers. Remember that your child's academic experience is important and vital to his professional success; don't let your own obstacles hinder your child's success.
3. Get to know your child's teacher. If you work the late shift, drop your child off at school and chat with the teacher in the morning. If you are not available during the school day, send notes along with your child -- or call or email the teacher -- to introduce yourself, to ask questions, and to raise your concerns.
4. Drop in on extracurricular activities. If you are unavailable during the day, try to pick your child up from after-school activities. Arrive a few minutes early and watch your child in action. Sit in on her student council meeting or theater rehearsal.
5. Find out how your school can help. Speak to a counselor or school administrator and explain your situation. Many schools have after-school programs or activities that supervise kids and keep them busy while their parents are still at work.
6. Use a translator. Parents who speak English as a second language can get in touch with their child's school and request a translator. It's important for all parents to have their questions answered and their concerns properly communicated.

Educate your child outside of school

At home

1. Organize your time; planning is vital. Create schedules and calendars for each month, and block out time to spend with your kids talking about school, helping with homework, chatting with teachers, or volunteering at school.
2. Learn to multitask. Do chores in the same room where your child does his homework. That way you'll be available to answer his questions or discuss the subjects that he's studying.
3. Know when school programs, extracurricular activities, and special events are scheduled. You can do this on your own time by visiting the school website, or you can call the administrative office and request a calendar or pamphlet.
4. Create a network of committed and involved parents with the shared goal of advancing your children's education. Stay in touch with the parents of your child's classmates, and use this network to carpool, to arrange study groups, and to stay apprised of what's happening in the classroom. Don't be afraid to lean on other parents for help -- volunteer your free time in return.
5. Develop a routine or a ritual in which you spend time learning with your child. If you cannot have dinner as a family, then eat breakfast together and discuss school or current events. If a daily routine is impossible, then try to schedule a weekly activity. Get up early on Sundays and go for a walk, or read a story together as a family.
6. If possible, use your workplace as a resource. Many mothers use their workplace as a home base where children can come after school to study or read while they wait for parents to wrap up the day. Take advantage of day care programs or understanding supervisors at your place of work. If you have your own office, let your children use it as a quiet and productive space. Find out if your company is willing to reimburse fees or offer scholarships for educational programs. Speak to a Human Resources representative, and ask about opportunities for your family.