Comments on: Parental Engagement: Help Wanted?

By: Louise

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:01:19 +0000

Thanks David, lucid and true. Rebecca, parent reps for each classroom a brilliant idea. I will suggest this to our governing council.

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By: Rebecca

Sat, 01 Nov 2014 06:16:08 +0000

I agree with some of both the comments above in the fact that homework can reinforce the child’s learning from school if said child has asborbed the knowledge at school, if it has been taught in a way that the child will understand! I believe instead of being on P ‘n’ F though that the greater decision making power comes with being on the School Board of which I am a Parent Rep but that being said, for the amount of Parents in the school, all have differing issues and views to bring to the table so I also like the idea of having Parent Leaders/Reps for each classroom not each year level.

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By: Mary

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 18:09:10 +0000

Being in Pnf is just a start… Helps with knowing what’s going on and show kids ur ‘involved’ and ‘interested’ in their learning and that u ‘contribute’ when you can…. Engagement happens everytime I help them with homework, everytime I ask them an open question and listen to their often funny and amazing answers…. I think I am much a learner from them as they have limitless and incredible minds…. I try to be aware of limiting their minds by speaking too much…. I feel like I’m engaging more with them when it requires me to ask open questions less because they are bursting to share their experiences of their school day I feel very blessed and grateful towards having them and every aspect of their school life…. I don’t criticise lack if this or that of their school teachers or school because every school is different, every teacher is different, And above all my child’s ability will be different!!!! What I expect is this if it is to be – its up to me…. I make it happen…. If I think something needs to change or improve I stay positive and actively engage in creating that change through learning…. The best place to learn is from my child’s experiences :)))

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By: 4c3d

Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:56:49 +0000

I agree with your point about the collusion regarding homework. Where homework is insisted on by parents it is sometimes an abdication of responsibility to engage with their children as learners themselves. Insisting somebody else sets it, marks it and punishes for it not being done is not the role of a “learning partner”; the role the parent should be taking.

In my experience where the parent also acts as a learner there is a great deal to be gained from homework. Pretending you don’t know or understand and asking your child to explain or teach builds confidence, self esteem and reinforces the learning. Parent are well placed to develop depth and provide context for homework and even promote engagement if they understand what the focus of the homework is. A family outing can with the right direction provide valuable background knowledge for a topic. This requires an openness from the school about homework and an acceptance from parents that it may not always be relevant or necessary to set it.

Supporting homework in the home can mean providing an alternative learning environment that better suits their children’s learning needs (not just the quiet room and a “Do not disturb” sign on the door either!). See this article for more on the learning environment and homework: http://wp.me/p2LphS-jT

My final point is that as some teachers have forgotten what it is like to be learners some parents remember all too well having had embarrassing moments at school themselves and can be reluctant to experience those emotions once again.

Good luck in your work.

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