By: Roberta Schlehr

Back to school is just around the corner. Preparations are being made — buying new clothes or uniforms and getting required supplies. We hope the school year will be successful for our children.

As a parent, what can we do to help the year be a success? One thing to remember is that success is different for each student. Try not to compare your child to other students in the class or other siblings.

The following thoughts are my own, as I reflect on the start of the new school year from a parent’s point of view and the point of view of an educator. I am in education for over 25 years in secondary and post-secondary education. Although I have not taught at the elementary level, I have two children that I will relate my experience. Here are some tips that I think are important for parents to do – by grade level:

K – 5th grade

Early elementary school is important for your child to gain a strong foundation of how important school is. Students learn social skills, how to read and write, and the start of general education. As a parent, your involvement is critical at this point. If you can participate as a classroom helper – do it! Can you go on field trips or make snacks? Children will see and know that they are important to you, and that you want to be a part of their day. At home, take the time to practice the review of numbers, letters and colors — I know you are tired and may have had a rough day at work, but your child needs you to be present in their lives.

6th – 8th grade

At this grade level, the opportunity for parent involvement at school starts to dwindle. But at home, it is even more important that you are involved with helping your child to complete homework, study or review work. This is when they are starting to become independent. It is important for students to develop good study habits.

9th – 12th grade

This stage is harder as students become more independent; maybe if they have jobs they need to learn to balance their school work. You can still be present and an important part of their education. Talk with your children, find out what they are learning, and challenge them to develop their own ideas. Consider BOCES for 11 and 12th grade, even if your student is going to college. Let them test out a trade, learn a skill, something that will be with them the rest of their lives. Our country is in need of skilled trade workers – and there is good money to be made!

College

Community or 4-year college – take an interest in what field of study your child wants to pursue – and if they don’t know yet, that is ok, too. Encourage them to take a college success class – here they will learn the skills needed to be a successful college student. They will be able to explore career options and identify programs they may be interested in.

Overall, parent involvement is important to helping your child be successful in school. Don’t do the work for your student, but be there to encourage and support them.