Every parent wants their child to succeed in school, in terms of both academic and personal growth, but to do so they will require support from both teachers and parents.
Research has actually highlighted the fact that children tend to perform better in school when they feel they have the interest and support of their parents. With that in mind, here is some advice for parents from an independent day school in Oxford.
The simplest thing you can do to help your child is show an active interest in their education. Ask them open questions at the end of each day about their lessons and what they have been learning about.
Try not to focus too much on grades and results because that will put your child under pressure. Also refrain from asking the same old questions every day; mix it up and incorporate some new methods to get your child to open up about their school day.
Use positive and encouraging language when discussing school with your child. Praise them for how hard they’re trying and tell them how proud you are; this will give them a sense of achievement and they’re more likely to keep up their efforts than if they go unnoticed.
Another way you can show you support your child is to be present at schooling event, like the Christmas Carol Service or Sports Day. Write all of the important dates down in your calendar so that you don’t forget.
What’s more, make sure you’re present when your child is doing their homework so that if they get stuck or confused, they know that you’re not too far away and can answer their questions if needs be. If they are left to do their homework alone, they might feel more inclined to give up when things aren’t running smoothly.
Nothing can guarantee your child’s success completely and everyone’s definition of the word is different, but as a parent you can do your best to help. If you require anymore advice, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s school and they will be able to give you some more tips on how you can get involved.