What can parents do to help children reach their potential in school?

@soadnot (1606)
Canada
February 2, 2007 5:34pm CST
What can parents do to help children reach their potential in school?
3 people like this
5 responses
@merkava (1225)
• Philippines
2 Feb 07
GET INVOLVED!!! I've heard this a thousand times. When I went back to my alma matter a lot of parents were complaining why their child is "dumb" at school or why isn't he/she as "intelligent as their parents are. After ranting they accompany their child home and just leave them there because they have other matters to attend to. Parents don't realize that they play a much important part in a child's education compared to a school teacher.
@soadnot (1606)
• Canada
3 Feb 07
most parents dont have time to get involved
3 people like this
@soadnot (1606)
• Canada
3 Feb 07
and some kids dont want to get them involved
3 people like this
• United States
3 Feb 07
Incourage them, give them something to look forward to, and imply, not tell, to have them set their own goals. Last year (freshman year of highschool) I struggled! I had a GPA of 1.25. Not much to brag about. Now I have set goals for myself sence the summer, and am achieveing them day by day. I struggled through math because I never payed attention, so this year instead of sticking to struggling I took a step back and retook a couple of math courses. I get math now, thanks to the best math teacher and my willing to learn, and I actually like math! I have come a long way and now have almost all strait A's. (GPA of 3.75 last semester) And my family did exactly that:encouraged me :)
@soadnot (1606)
• Canada
3 Feb 07
lol..good luck with the math
3 people like this
• Hyderabad, India
2 Feb 07
Education is definitely a community effort. When I say community, I mean it takes equal committment from the school, from the student and from the parent. We all have our roles. If one slips, the other two are there to pick them back up again. It is very simliar to the "Checks and Balances" system of our own government. But do all view it this way? Unfortunately not. Because our roles as teachers, parents and students are abstractly defined, there are no "guidelines" for checking and balancing. It must come from within, and unfortunately not everyone is programmed to do so. I have taught school for over 20 years. In that amount of time I have seen trends come and go. I have seen students that were highly motivated and I have taught students who barely understood what education was about. I have seen students such as this also blossom right before your very eyes. And that happens when the 3 way "community" of school, parents and students all work in harmony.
@soadnot (1606)
• Canada
3 Feb 07
like i said, most parents are "perfect"
3 people like this
• United States
2 Feb 07
I think it is so important to read with your kids. Teach them that learning is fun. Plus the time you spend together reading is also time you can spend getting to know your kids which will help keep them out of trouble later.
@soadnot (1606)
• Canada
3 Feb 07
math is fun?
3 people like this
• United States
3 Feb 07
When my kids were in school, I encouraged them, watched them in homework,rewarded them for good tests and asked often if they needed or wanted anything to help them. I was very involved and included them and it helped! My youngest went to college this year!
@soadnot (1606)
• Canada
3 Feb 07
colleg for what?
3 people like this