Tips for Encouraging Parental Involvement
- Meet with families and build positive relationships
- Encourage families to be a part of the school community
- Encourage children to read and write at home and encourage parents to make sure it is ENJOYABLE! Don't force them to read something they aren't interested in! Build a LOVE of literacy.
- Give families the tools they need to build and nurture literacy development at home through information sessions
- If children do not have any support from home utilise parent helpers, start a homework club, or even get older students to SUPPORT students with reading and homework tasks
- Don't disregard the experience and knowledge that parent, grandparent and carer helpers can provide. Utilise EXPERTISE!
- Be open to parents helping in the older years, not just the early years. We are very time poor, use the extra help being offered
- BE AWARE parents will compare their children to others in the class: One idea to combat this is to only have parents working with their own child's ability group
- Find out what the SCHOOL POLICY is on parental involvement and if they will provide any training for parents. Find out if Working with Children Checks are required or confidentiality forms need to be signed.
- If the school does not offer training INVITE parents in for an informal discussion and a presentation on your expectations and how they can help in the classroom
- ENCOURAGE fun and excitement with reading and writing...give children a voice
- Set homework tasks that involve COLLABORATION with family members or other significant others, therefore creating an environment for parental involvement at home. Eg. have parents share stories or students conduct interviews
- Send ASSESSMENT pieces home once you have given feedback and have a slip for parents to fill in with their feedback and encouragement. This involves parents with what's going on in the classroom and shows the students that their work is important.