How Can Parents Keep Their Children Engaged in School?
How Can Parents Keep Their Children Engaged in School?
A child’s educational journey is greatly enhanced by parental involvement in school. The specific responsibilities of a Learning Coach for at-home students include optimising the learning environment, ensuring learner comprehension, and teaching students the skills necessary to excel in higher education and beyond. Every student is required to have a Learning Coach as part of the school curriculum followed at ODM Public School. Read on if you are assuming the role of Learning Coach as a parent or if you are a current Learning Coach seeking to update your approach.
Why Parent Involvement in Schools is Beneficial
Your involvement in your child’s at-home learning as a Learning Coach is crucial to their growth and development. Studies indicate that parental involvement in their children’s education contributes to student success, particularly in reading and mathematics. Involvement with a Learning Coach also provides students with social and emotional support. By remaining involved and accessible throughout your child’s education, he or she will gain the confidence to overcome obstacles and develop can-do attitudes that will serve them well in the present and future.
Learning Coaches perform many of the same tasks for online students as they would for students in a traditional school, but the at-home environment modifies how some of these tasks are performed.
Learning Mentors:
• Assist in arranging a learning environment that eliminates distractions and fosters concentration.
• Schedule time daily for check-ins.
• Monitor attendance, participation, and comprehension on a regular basis.
Additionally, Learning Coaches collaborate closely with teachers to stay current and make any necessary accommodations for optimal student learning.
Five Tips for Parents Attempting to Become Learning Coaches
Learning Coaches are not always required to be present during the learning process; however, daily engagement and the implementation of key engagement strategies will help keep students on the path to success.
Integrate community into the learning experience.
When combined with parental involvement, community involvement in schools creates the optimal environment for students to reach their fullest potential and make connections that increase their engagement. A great way to incorporate the community into the learning process is to research local organisations with your child and ask them which causes are most important to them. Find a volunteer opportunity that both of you can participate in together.
Examples of school involvement in the community extend beyond volunteering. As a supplement to their social studies curriculum, consider taking them to a local performance of a Shakespeare play they’re reading in class, a science museum with an exhibit on a topic they’re studying, or an Indigenous cultural event. Check local community calendars and events that can be used to supplement their education. Adding upcoming events to the school calendar is another way to engage students and provide them with something to anticipate.
Create a school timetable
Planning for the upcoming week can not only help students improve their executive function, but it can also help Learning Coaches maintain their sanity. Planning also ensures that you set aside sufficient time to stay in touch with your child’s classes and assignments. Consider a visible, evolving calendar that your child can also see and write on, so that you and your child are both aware of upcoming events. You can assist one another in remembering important dates and work as a team to achieve learning objectives. Include daily check-ins, assignment due dates, and extra one-on-one coaching time, as well as time to connect with your child’s teachers and other learning team members. Having a general idea of how your child’s week will unfold, can reduce stress and ensure that the most important tasks are completed.
Discover more about your child’s passions
In addition to your own learning, stimulate your child’s curiosity outside of schoolwork. Here are some excellent questions to help you determine what your child enjoys most:
Which course did you enjoy the most this semester? What did you enjoy most about it?
What subjects do you enjoy learning about outside of school?
Which course topic did you enjoy learning about the most?
When you know what piques their interest, you can help them make connections between subjects and discover how their passions are applicable to everyday life. In addition to books and films on their favourite subjects, community outings and field trips will help to stimulate their interest.
Set the standard for engaged learning.
When children observe their parent or Learning Coach undertaking and completing learning challenges, they are more likely to imitate this behaviour. Starting and completing a new project, reading (and completing) a book on a topic of interest, or enrolling in a class are all ways to set an example of engaged learning. Consider an interest or objective that you’ve been putting off. Have you always desired to study the guitar? How do you paint? Or speak Spanish fluently? As a Learning Coach, the time is now. When you activate your own learning, students can see what it means to be a lifelong learner and how to maintain a sense of wonder.
Optimise their study area
Ask your child what helps them concentrate and if there is anything that distracts them. Avoid common learning environment mistakes. Do they prefer silence, or do they enjoy white noise? Do they prefer overhead lighting or lighting from lamps? Assist them in establishing a “learning zone” where they feel at ease.
Here are some additional suggestions for optimising the learning environment:
• Designate and organise a specific location for school supplies.
• As required, monitor and restrict the use of distracting devices.
• Provide the necessary technology (reliable Internet service, computer, headset, scanner/printer, etc.) to complete daily lessons.
• Review lessons in advance to ensure you have any out-of-the-ordinary materials required.
• Prepare a quiet, easily-monitored location for completing assignments.
When Learning Coaches take the necessary steps to engage in the learning journey, student and learning Coach engagement increases. Awarded No.1 School in Odisha, ODM Public School offers continuous guidance to parents to become a more active participants in the learning process of their children. Do follow our blogs and subscribe to our channels to stay updated.