As a parent, you know that homework can sometimes pose real difficulties for your children. But you don’t have to be an expert in math or science to help your child be successful with homework. Your caring and attention can go a long way. By getting involved with supporting your child’s homework activities, communication between you and the school improves. You learn more about what is expected of your child in school. And you get a firsthand idea of what students are learning and how well your child is doing. Research shows that if a child is having difficulty with homework, parents should pay close attention. Talk to your child’s teachers to find out what you can do to help.
Can you imagine hearing languages such as Zulu and Nepalese being spoken in New Hampshire? These were two, among several others that resounded through the basement-turned-banquet hall of Manchester’s Unitarian Universalist Church during the November 15, 2008 Multicultural Dinner and Dialogue. 
Governor John H. Lynch proclaimed this past October as Parent Involvement in Education month in the state of NH. This initiative, promoted jointly by The Parent Information Center and the NH Department of Education, was meant to highlight the power of parents' influence in the academic and life success of their children, and to strengthen efforts to involve parents in the life of the school. 
Parent Power: Supporting Your Child's Academic Success covers such topics as parent-child and parent-teacher communication, organizatinal strategies, study time and study place, and the study habit. Parents will learn a variety of tools for helping their child keep on top of homework, manage time, and enrich learning at home. Call now for your free copy, or organize a Helpful Homework Hints workshop in your area.Parent Involvement Happens Every Day
How can you as a parent be more involved
in your child’s education?
It’s not hard as you think!
Many of the traditional avenues of parent involvement – attending parent-teacher conferences, volunteering in the classroom, and getting involved with the PTA – are of course wonderful activities that will make a lasting difference in your child’s educational experience while increasing the quality of the school. But there are simpler things that parents can do in the course of day-to-day life that can also have a great impact on their children’s academic success. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Let your child know that school is important. Be sure to ask questions about school and homework, and set up a quiet place for your child to work.
- Read everything that is sent home from school – report cards, homework assignments, school lunch plans, vacation and bus schedules. Show your child that you are well informed.
- Encourage your child to read at home. Set a good example by choosing to read instead of watching a TV program.
- Explore ways to interact with your child by sharing facts, perceptions and opinions related to things you are reading.
- Challenge your child to read the book before seeing the movie based on the book.
- When your child asks for help with homework, provide guidance, not answers. It’s not your job to know your child’s classroom material. You can help best by asking questions, giving encouragement, and having your child review class notes, previous homework and completed tests. You can always call or write a note to the teacher if your child is struggling.
- Learn to ask questions and share thoughts that promote critical thinking. Some good questions might be: “What is the purpose of that?” “Why did that happen?” “What do you think the solution might be”? “Is there another way to look at that problem or issue?”
- Be willing to learn from your child, and express your appreciation for the gift of his or her knowledge and enthusiasm.
Talking with Your Child's Teachers
When parents and teachers share information about what’s going on at home or school, your child will do better in school as a result. Tell your child’s teachers what they need to know about your child – if she has special needs, for example. If your child has problem with schoolwork or homework, request a meeting with the teacher. You can say, for example, “Tim is having trouble with his social studies homework. I’m worried about why he can’t finish the assignments and what we might do to help him.” You can ask questions such as: What are your expectations for my child? What are the school’s rules and regulations? Is there a homework policy? Ask about the school website, schedules, contacts, rules, etc. Trust that the teacher wants to help you and your child, even if you disagree about something. Don’t go to the principal without first giving the teacher a chance to work out the problem. Remember that you and the teacher are a team working together for your child’s education. Read more...
Thinking Outside the Books DVD:
How to Motivate Your Middle School Reader
How often do you examine every day words and have conversation about every day events? When did you last analyze an entertaining comic strip, a prominent billboard, a current song lyric, a riveting short story, or a controversial sports review? Motivating young people to read is sometimes an uphill battle.
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Are you interested in motivating middle school or high school students to get more engaged in reading? In the free PIRC DVD "Thinking Outside the Books: Helping Your Teen Find the FUN in Reading," you will hear parents and students share their thoughts about why reading is important, how to get started, and why good questions promote interest and critical thinking. Some thoughts from today's youth on this DVD include:
- You read to enjoy." – Michael, age 15
- I like to read everything…I just love books in general." – Tracy, age 17
- If you can find something you are genuinely interested in…you are going to want to read it." – Melissa, age 14
- I think you have to ask the question, do you not read because it difficult or because you don't like the book? If reading difficult, there are other options, like books on tape or CD. In the end, it is not about getting the book in front of you, it is about listening, gaining knowledge, and making your mind think" – Sasha, age 16
- I like to read books that give me a lot of emotion. I really like mysteries because when you get to the end of the chapter, you just can't put the book down!" Alissa, age 15
- The motivation behind writing (a book) or presenting the information is really important on telling how truthful it is." – Sasha, age 16
- One way to encourage young people to read is to make it more social…like a book club, because they love to interact. Read a book, have a discussion, and hang out with your friends! – Sasha, age 16
- When I was little my dad used to read to us every night. From elementary school on, he used to say, 'Read 15 minutes every night. Since he pushed me to do that, I started to find out what I was really interested in and the kind of books I like to read. Now I read a lot…. I let it (reading) take me into my own little world." - Alissa, age 14
- I really like it when people read aloud to me." – Alissa, age 14
- I think it is very important to find things out for yourself. That is how you grow as a person. You could just tell a 3 year old anything, they will believe you. But as an adult you have to find stuff out for yourself. You don't just believe what everyone tells you." - Tracy, age 17
- Everyone has something that they enjoy. Everyone has their own little niche. I think if they can find that interesting topic, they are going to pick up a book and read about it! – Michael, age 15
Click here to read more about how parents can support their children's literacy
