Top 5 Ways to Get Involved in Your Child's Education

Parents struggle with the everyday juggle of life. On a typical day you can be involved in more than 1,000 decisions that impact your family. Many of these decisions can seem small with little consequence, however, the choice you make for your child's education may have lasting effects. Here are some ways to help you prioritize your involvement in your child's education:

1. Communicate with your child's teacher. Communication is key as with most relationships. Keep the lines open by checking in with the teacher on a regular basis. This will make sure you are not relying on the teacher to initiate the conversation, but will allow the opportunity to follow up on important key items.
2. Don't be afraid to ask questions. It can be intimidating to reach out to the school experts to see what is happening in the classroom. Teachers and principals are great resources on tips to help with homework or even behavior management skills. Your children can also be a great resource to ask questions about classroom learning and how you can help.
3. Visit the classroom regularly. You are not the 'annoying' parent who does too much if you visit the classroom. This is a great opportunity to get a pulse on the teacher, the student body, and your child's involvement in their learning process. This also gives you a chance to update the teacher on unique needs your child has. This also shows your child how important their education is to you.
4. Become a parent volunteer. Even with your full schedule, there are ways you can volunteer for your child's school. There are a ton of unique ways of volunteering that are out-of-the-box that can fit into your lifestyle, yet help your child's teacher.  For example, volunteer to bring in the classroom snack or boxes of tissues.
5. Become an expert homework helper. We all know the challenges with common core. #thestruggleisreal Your positive reaction to homework can be a great foundation to show your child your belief in their learning ability. Don't be afraid to ask your school or teacher for support in understanding your child's homework, a.k.a. the answer sheet. Talk to your teacher on how they teach the concepts so that you can replicate what your child is already learning.

Remember, although you have a tireless and thankless job as a parent at times, your involvement in your child's education is key to their success. Keep an open line of communication with the team who educates your child.