The support that learners receive from their parents and guardians is undoubtedly key to ensuring their success in school. It is not enough for parents to just send their children to school; they must also be actively involved in shaping them.
Providing Support
- Attending school meetings: Primary schools always organise parent-teacher conferences to update the parents on the learners’ progress. If you are a parent, make sure you attend them and take note of some of the issues that are raised about your child’s education.
- Being updated on what is happening in school: Take time to go through the school’s website and newsletters, if any, to learn about what is happening in the school. Look for areas where you can volunteer within the school.
- Support homework: If your child has school projects that need an extra hand, be ready to offer help where necessary. Primary schools can sometimes have homework where the parents are expected to be actively involved in buying materials for the assignment and also help the student to conceptualise and complete the project.
- Prepare the children adequately for learning: When you are sending your child to school, ensure they are well fed, they had enough sleep, and are provided with the basic needs they should have in order to be comfortable.
- Teach basic skills: There are some basic skills, such as proper communication, being organised, and teamwork, that are best learned from the parents. These abilities help the children to learn faster and better. Therefore, strive to teach them these skills from a younger age so that they learn faster.
Parents should consider themselves co-teachers of their primary school children. Take care of the child’s psycho-social needs and be genuinely curious about what they are doing in school.