The Role of Parents in Supplementing Classroom Learning
EducationThe Role of Parents in Supplementing Classroom Learning
In many cultures and communities schools have the role of teaching children. Adults leading busy lives become more dependent on schools to prepare their children for life. Parents have high expectations about what schools should teach their children. But schools and classrooms should not be the only place where learning occurs.
Learning should be a living thing, constantly growing and changing. Ideally, classroom learning should be only one aspect of children’s lives. For classroom learning to be effective it needs to be supplemented and added to by learning that takes place in children’s wider environment.
Parent’s role in learning
In most countries, children are expected to attend school. In the classroom they learn such things as how to read and write, mathematical knowledge, the geography and history of their country and have opportunities to socialize and learn from their peers. These are all important things and often beyond the scope of individual parents. However, wise parents will not hand the entire role of children’s learning over to classroom teachers. Wise parents know they too have a role to play.
Parents as role models
For children to be successful learners, they need to see their parents valuing learning. Parents who are seen reading, discussing ideas, questioning and participating in community activities are good role models for children. They demonstrate that learning is not restricted to classrooms, but is ongoing and takes place everywhere.
Offering encouragement
Wise parents encourage children to be more aware of the world around them. They ask children questions, encouraging them to find out more about things of interest. They praise children’s efforts and encourage further development. They offer opportunities for children to learn more about the world they live in.
Reinforcing classroom learning
Children do not learn new information and skills in one sitting. Children need to reinforce new learning and classrooms can only offer limited opportunities. Parents have a role in reinforcing this learning. Each day parents should ask children about any new learning and try and offer further opportunities to reinforce that learning in a practical way. Simply asking children what they have learnt today is a beginning. This requires the child to verbalize new learning, therefore reinforcing it.
Offering real life opportunities
For learning to become real children need to see how it applies to real life. Parents can create practical opportunities for children to apply and practice new knowledge and skills. Children who experience how their learning relates to real life situations will see value in what they learn at school and realize this is only the first step towards future learning.
Learning should be life long. Classrooms are a small part of any education. Parents also need to take responsibility for children’s learning by being good role models, offering encouragement, reinforcing new ideas and providing practical opportunities to apply learning to life situations. Wise parents will not leave the entire education of children to classroom teachers.