Education Experts Share Ideas On Parental Involvement

"Studies show that children that have at least one adult that takes an active interest in their education do far better in their school,” said Joe Donzelli, communications director for the Lee County School District in Florida USA which is initiating the campaign the country wide “Be There” campaign to encourage parents to participate in their child’s education.nThe biggest concern of parents is being unable to effectively help their child at school. Combined feelings of inadequacy, or not wishing to interfere masks a real opportunity to make a difference. Modern teaching resources from preschool educational toys to classroom games used in schools are now available to support the practice function at home. Seventy five percent of learning retention is archived through practice, a commodity sometimes all too rare at school.nWhen parents get involved in their child’s education with an educational game they get to know that you’re there for them and, critically, the parent is the child’s number one role model and the most influential teacher that their child will ever have. The time that a child is awake and paying attention – and ready to learn – isn’t all spent in front of a teacher. From birth to age 18 years 85% of learning hours occur in the home. This time can be used with learning games to encourage a sense of fun. Tamara Chilber, who lives in Fort Myers and author of two books encourages parents to set aside time each day to go over their child’s school work. She said parents must be enthusiastic, because “the love of learning is contagious.” Chilber also recommends getting in contact with teachers regularly by attending parents night, phone or e-mail - where a teacher would probably be more open and honest in responding. Chilber also lists key methodsnn*Do not pressure your children. Give them choices academically and use their interests to guide learning time.n*If you sense your child getting frustrated with a particular skill, take a break and come back with a different approach.n*Children learn using visual, auditory or physical, hands-on methods of teaching. Know your child’s learning style and use it when tutoring at home. Alistair Owensnn(http://www.keen2learn.co.uk )