Text: Amanda Ndlangisa. Pictures: Thinkstock Images. Article from the January 2013 issue of Bona Magazine.
Bona looks at the importance of being involved in your child’s school life.
Educational psychologist Dr Marang Letswalo says that parents’ active involvement in their child’s education at home and in school brings great rewards. It also has an important effect on their children’s lives. According to research studies, the children of involved parents:
- Are less absent
- Behave better
- Do better academically from preschool through to high school
- Go further in school
Research also shows that a home environment that encourages learning is important. By being involved in your child’s education at home and in school, you as a parent show your child that you are interested in their activities and also stress the importance of school.
Becoming Involved
Some parents have more time than others to be involved in their child’s education, but it’s important for even busy parents to make time (even if it’s an hour) to get involved with their child’s school activities.
How Parental Involvement Pays Off
When parents give effort and time, they have the chance to interact with teachers, administrators, and other parents. They also learn first-hand about the daily activities and the social culture of the school. This will help them understand what their child’s life at school is like.
By staying involved with their child and/or teenager’s schooling, parents can be a source of support, create a comfortable environment to talk about tough issues, help protect against teenage drug use, depression, eating disorders and academic struggles, and serve as role models for responsible behaviour.
How to become more involved
At home:
- Read to your child. Reading aloud can help increase your child’s level of reading.
- Help your child organise their time.
- Limit television on school nights.
- Talk to your child about what’s going on in school.
- Check homework every night.
At school:
- Meet with their teachers to understand where, when and how help is needed.
- If you have the time go with your child’s class on field trips.
- Assist coaches at sporting events. Help with arts and crafts workshops, special interest clubs or drama group.
How parental involvement pays off
When parents give effort and time, they have the chance to interact with teachers, administrators, and other parents. They also learn first-hand about the daily activities and the social culture of the school. This will help them understand what their child’s life at school is like.
By staying involved with their child and/or teenager’s schooling, parents can be a source of support, create a comfortable environment to talk about tough issues, help protect against teenage drug use, depression, eating disorders and academic struggles, and serve as role models for responsible behaviour.
Tips to stay involved:
- Learn your child’s strengths and weaknesses in education and other activities. This will help them perform better.
- Never miss a parent-teacher meeting. They are very important as you get to know what teachers have to say about your child.
- Do follow-ups with the school and discuss your child’s performance and with his teachers.
- Check on how much time your child spends watching TV and playing video games. Control these times and keep a schedule for free time activities.
- Help your child to learn the importance of attending school and good behaviour at school.
- Put school first. Doing chores should come after school work and studying has been completed. Children should have the responsibility to do chores around the house and play a role in the family, however school has to be their first job.
Nestle’s dieticians give us a few tips on how to pack a healthy lunch for your pre-scholar.
Vegetables and fruit
Make sure your child is eating vegetables and fruit every day. Add one small apple, a handful of grapes, a pear, a banana, 1/2 cup of salad or a peeled carrot. Vegetables and fruit are rich sources of vitamins and minerals, and have many health benefits.
Starchy foods
Make starchy foods part of most meals. Try two slices of whole-wheat bread, a seeded roll, 3/4 cup of pasta or six whole-wheat crackers as the base for everyday lunches. Carbohydrates will give your child energy for the day.
Lean protein
Fish, chicken, lean meat or eggs can be eaten daily. Include one slice or three tablespoons of grated cheese, a boiled egg, 1/2 cup of tuna or two tablespoons of peanut butter on their sandwiches. Proteins are important for the growth and development of muscles, bones, skin and hair.
Nutritious snacks
Snacks are to be eaten between meals to control your appetite. These can include 30g of peanut and raisin mix, two cups of popcorn or two pieces of dried fruit.
Water
Make sure your child is getting their six to eight glasses of water a day. During the summer months or after sport, give them an extra glass or two to replace fluids lost during physical activity. Water is the most important nutrient in the body.
Reduced fatty dairy
Use milk and milk products with little or no added sugar. Try adding a 100g tub of low fat yoghurt, 250ml flavoured milk or Milo to their lunchboxes.
Treat
You can add a bite-sized chocolate or a small packet of potato chips to their lunchboxes occasionally.
When it isn’t working
A healthy lunch only works if it’s eaten! If your child is coming home with an untouched lunchbox, ask yourself:
- Is the lunch boring? Try to be different with what you include in the lunchbox.
- Is it too much? Portion sizes may be too big. For younger children consider giving half a sandwich or cut it into smaller pieces.
- Is it the way it feels? Often children don’t like the skin on their apples or don’t like sticky hands after peeling an orange.
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