Importance of Parental Involvement at School

1. Importance of Parental Involvement at School A child's well-being depends on the parents to a great extent. Parents are responsible for all small details in a child's life that can vary from eating veggies to potty training, learning manners, and many more. When a child starts going to school for the first time, there is a general belief that at school the sole responsibility is of the teacher and education counselors to groom the child. But it is not true; the involvement of the parents is equally important and needed as well. Earlier time the involvement of the parents in their children’s school was not that easy access. But with advancements in time and thought processes researchers have come up with the fact that there is a great importance of parental involvement at school. The role of parents is beyond dropping their children at school and taking them back home. Research has also mentioned that parental involvement helps a child's education to a better position. It also helps the child to become a good human being. Advancement in technology has given the scope as well as the opportunity to new-age parents to get involved in their child's education and other activities at school.

2. What is Parental Involvement at School? Parental involvement refers to the engagements of the parents in schools where the parents share responsibilities with the teachers and other educators. Parental involvement can also be defined as the active and continuous process of participation of parents in the education process of the child. There are multiple ways in which parents can make their involved. This can be monitoring the child's homework, reading with the child, listening to what has happened at school; also discussing all the activities a child takes part in the school. All these are how can the parents make their involvement at home. At schools, parents can sometimes volunteer in classrooms either in the recreation classes or in a subject class as well. The next important part of parental involvement is attending the meetings conducted from time to time. Parents can also involve by helping the school administration in organizing events and various school functions. Academic achievement of a child and parents involvement is directly proportional. When parents offer their involvement at schools the learning process gets to a better level. This happens when parents make serious engagements and make clear communications with the teachers and other educators. This involvement also leads to a child's progress in the educational sector as well as in extracurricular activities. Teachers help a lot by listening to the parents and they offer collaboration with the parents for the betterment of their child. Importance of Parental Involvement at School In recent times it has been observed schools are implementing several methods in building parent engagements at schools. The given below points will give a detailed overview of the Importance of Parental Involvement at School. All these aspects had a positive effect on both the parents and their children. 1. Positive Impact on academic achievement

3. It has been observed the more deeply parents get involved with the school and their various activities the more positive impact was observed on their children's educational achievements. 2. Effecting the personality of the Child In some schools, parent involvement has been observed strongly in the primary section. But it is also of great importance to get parents involved at the secondary level. The secondary level of education sees a great change, at this point students who are less inclined towards academics tend to drop out. In this situation, it has been seen that parents who have more involvement at school help their children to excel in their academics and have a clear view about future goals. 3. Positive in the classroom behavior It has also been observed that when parents show interest and encourage their children in their academics every time it left a positive impact on the child's mind. In return, the child's attitude towards the school had a much better view. The students have been seen having a remarkable improvement in class conduct. Self-esteem among the children increased and they start practicing self-motivation. Finally, absenteeism from school decreased. 4. A better quality of education It is very important for parents to have better access to understanding the education system and the procedures. This understanding has a direct effect on the quality of education given. This is because it has a link with the exchange of ideas and several methods to fine-tune aspects. 5. Enhancement of teacher morale

4. Teachers who get support from the parents can make a positive and better contribution to a child's abilities and their interests. With proper communication with parents, teachers can in return communicate with the children better. This also helps in eliminating any type of wrong perceptions. 6. A chance to enquire and raise When parents get involved with the school it also gives the scope to raise questions on several activities. Also, various concerns also get a chance to be addressed. This is only possible when parents are regularly interacting with the school authority. Also when parents are more involved at school they can create a mutual platform between the school and the parents. 7. Opportunities for disadvantaged children Parents of the backward class children or children belonging to the low-income group keep themselves away from schools and their activities. This is mainly because of the lack of training and lack of information they have. This makes the parents shy to face the school. There are several schools that provide training to such parents. And in return, the parents get the scope to involve them in improving their children's academics. Also, by doing so, the parents make a positive contribution to the school as well. What are ways parents make their involvement at schools? There are several ways through which parents can extend their involvement at schools. They are: Offer help with the extra-curricular activities Extra-curricular activities like drama, singing, dancing have a great effect in enhancing educational experiences among the children. At times teachers at school do not get that extra time. Parents involved in such activities at school can help the children.

5. Be an active participant in school fairs or fundraising events Schools play a vital role in various community programs and they need active volunteers for the same. Parents can help the school in these types of scenarios in helping to organize school fests and other events. Assist teachers being a class parent-helper Parents can help the teachers and assist them in conducting class projects, organizing events, and other activities. At the primary level, help from outside is always entertained. Parents can also extend their involvement in office work. Utilize your expertise Parents who have some type of passion or hobbies must share it with the teachers of their child's school. This can give a chance to the parents to give demonstrations or presentations which might encourage the students to pursue a hobby as well. Setup an after-school club There are many parents who require extra support for their children. This is most common when both the parents are working. Creating school clubs or community centers would help all the parents to discuss school activities. Initiate a book club Parents can start encouraging other parents and the students to come together by helping with a book they are reading. This could be followed by debates, online discussions, and several other relevant activities. This would help to make a special bond between the children and the parents. Becoming a Reading buddies

6. In due time some of the teachers require help to get the primary level students to practice reading. Parents in this situation can help by becoming a reading buddy and helping their children in developing reading skills and acquiring fluency for the language. Be a part of the decision and policymaking Parents can also be a part of the school governing body. They can help with suggestions from time to time and help the school management to make crucial decisions or amend some of them. There are several schools that seek parents in their advisory team. Work as a counsel for the children When students are at secondary school constant counseling is very important for the children. At times children feel shy to open up in front of their teachers. Parents can at this stage play the role of the counselors and listen and give suggestions to various issues. Be a part of the Parent-Teacher Association Parents get mental support regarding the future of their children from a parent-teacher association. Help out to outreach with newsletters Parents can help by providing inputs for various newsletters or other channels of communication. This is especially for those parents who get very little time to make visits to school regularly. In Conclusion It is known that teachers play the most vital role in both the academic development and social development of children. Research has proved the importance of parental

7. involvement at school and also how powerful it is for the child's growth. Parents always want the best for their children. And by getting themselves involved with school and related activities they can now directly help in their child's success in school and after.