Children spend about 1,000 hours per year in school. So, helping children enjoy learning and being successful in school is an important goal for parents, other family members, and schools. It takes two major institutions, the home and the school, working together to successfully educate the child. Helping Children Succeed in School is a program written by University of Illinois Extension educators that gives successful strategies for parents and caregivers to help their children succeed in school.
Students, family members, and teachers are all necessary links in a positive learning experience. Even the most caring and competent teacher needs support from parents and family members who will encourage children and teach them to value education. Parents and other family members are the most important teachers of their children. By nature, children are curious and want to learn. A parent's attitudes and values about education are easily transferred to children by their actions and words. To ensure success in school, children need their parent's support for school and non-school activities.
This program offers ways to
- learn practical steps to help children be successful in school,
- gain skills to communicate effectively with their child's teacher and school personnel,
- help children gain skills for optimum learning, and
- identify resources to gather more information related to school success.
Studies indicate that children whose parents and/or family members share in their formal education tend to do better in school. Their involvement may be more difficult based on challenges that they face such as lack of time, knowledge of ways to be involved, and poor communication between school and home. An activity on how to value education assists parents in experiencing the art of good communicating. This helps them understand the other person's viewpoints, values, dreams, and interests. They learn to recognize the basic learning styles of themselves and their child in order to work effectively with them. A guide to general study habits provides how to encourage and the materials necessary for successful studying. Test taking skills, incentives for learning, homework skills, school stress, parent/teacher communication are covered to contribute to the success of the child, parent, school relationship.
Children need and want their families to be involved in their lives. Looking to the future, employers will want employees who are willing to take on responsibility, learn new skills, and effectively communicate with their co-workers. Helping our children be successful in school today can improve their success in the world of work tomorrow.
En EspañolHelping Children Succeed in School was developed by Darla Binkley, Extension Educator, Youth Development; Kay Mayberry, Extension Educator, Family Life; Rachel Schwarzendruber, Extension Educator, Family Life; Nancy Schreiber, Extension Educator, Prevention; and Melinda States, Extension Educator, Youth Development.
