Benefits of Volunteering At Your Child’s School
My daughters have been very fortunate to attend an elementary school which offers a parent participation program. This type of alternative education program emphasizes parent involvement with classroom learning, whether it be to accompany students on a field trip, prepare classroom materials at home prior to the teacher’s lesson, or to read with a small group of students. The idea is that students who receive support from multiple adults will have a more enriched learning experience.
How to Volunteer at School
Even if your children are not in a specific parent participation program, you can still volunteer in your child’s school. There are many benefits for you and your children when you seek out opportunities and get involved with your child’s education. Here’s my top 10!
10 Reasons to Help
- Your children will know you are interested in their everyday experiences.
- They will know you invest your time in their day.
- Since you are involved in supporting their classroom environment, they will take their learning more seriously.
- Your children will know that you support and love them.
- You’ll send the message that education is important.
- Your children will be proud to have you around their classmates.
- You’ll be familiar with your child’s surroundings and feel comfortable approaching the teacher or principal for help for your child, whether for academic or social needs.
- You will be clued-in on the social climate of your child’s world, and be more prepared to help your child navigate social situations.
- Parents form lasting friendships with the other parents who help at the school.
- Your involvement and contributions will have a direct hand in shaping the school’s culture.
Go on, get involved! Your children will value the time you spend at their school and as a classroom volunteer.
Jaime
Copyright © 2019 by GenParenting
Discovering the joy of teaching while in high school, Jaime pursued her B.A. in English at Santa Clara University. She also received a teaching credential and a M.A. in Education Administration from Santa Clara University. Jaime taught English Language Arts at Rancho Middle School, motivating and inspiring young people to become effective communicators and contributors in their community. From being a Middle School English Language Arts/English Language Development teacher to becoming a stay-at home mom, Jaime is an education consultant who presents literacy workshops. Her workshops focus on a combination of her ten years of teaching expertise with tried-and-true experiences that she uses with her own children. Jaime is also a Teacher Consultant with the San Jose Area Writing Project. Jaime’s mission is to share effective reading and writing strategies with families to encourage literacy.
Very good advice! Grandparents & other relatives are usually welcomed, also!
Thank you, Michele, for your ongoing support of our blogs. We agree that schools really encourage grandparents, extended family, and friends to share in the learning experiences of their cherished children. Our grandchildren’s school fully embraces this practice by featuring a family and friends visit day the Friday before each Mother’s Day. The event is incredibly successful and hundreds of relatives and friends visit the children on this special day. The children feel special as well as the guests. Warm regards, Mary Ann
Thank you, Michele, for your ongoing support of our blogs. We agree that schools really encourage grandparents, extended family, and friends to share in the learning experiences of their cherished children. Our grandchildren’s school fully embraces this practice by featuring a family and friends visit day the Friday before each Mother’s Day. The event is incredibly successful and hundreds of relatives and friends visit the children on this special day. The children feel special as well as the guests. Warm regards, Mary Ann