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Parents and schools have the same goal: to help children grow, mature, and become citizens who contribute positively to our society. Each group expects much of the other. Parents expect schools to protect their children and teach them effectively. Schools expect parents to prepare their children for school and encourage the development of character.
Our society may be giving schools increasingly more responsibility for raising children. Parents may be expecting too much of schools with a “you take them” attitude. Schools may experience more and more frustration that parents do not do enough, but schools do have a responsibility to guide children and encourage and involve parents.
Each group must have understanding of the other. Schools must understand that parents may be trying their best to rear their children and that they usually want the best for their children. Parents must understand that there are many demands on their children’s schools and that educating students is a complex process with many variables.
Taking Action
Parents and schools must share the responsibility and cooperate to ensure the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children.
Parents:
- Model appropriate behavior
- Be involved in your child’s learning
- Meet your child’s teachers
- Avoid being defensive about feedback about your child
- Do not rescue your child
- Be involved in your school before a problem occurs rather than only after there is a problem
Schools:
- Communicate with parents
- Provide parenting tips for encouraging school success to parents
- Include parents in building a learning community
- Avoid using educational jargon and provide clear and practical ways parents can support learning
- Teach respect and respond to bullying and inappropriate behaviors
Permission granted for reproduction and sharing of these tips. Dr. Brad Schwall, Social and Emotional Learning, LP, www.coolkidschannel.com, drschwall@coolkidschannel.com