Are you a parent who wants to get more involved in your child's education? Here are some ways that you can boost your child’s learning at home so that they can improve in the classroom.
The number one most important teacher in the life of a child is their parents. Right from day one, you are teaching them about the world around them. Once they reach the age of preschool, kindergarten, and grade school, you may feel like you are no longer the primary educator and that the burden falls on their teachers. However, this is not the case at all.
Kids continue to spend most of their time at home, so it makes sense that their parents continue to be the most influential educators in their lives. For parents, this might seem daunting, but it doesn't need to be. There are many ways that you can support your child’s learning while at home. Keep reading to learn about eight of them.
Grey Matter Montessori is one of the Best Calgary Preschools
Through our years of combined experience, handpicked staff, and groundbreaking guiding principles, Grey Matter Montessori has become known as one of the best preschool programs in NW Calgary. We work hard to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our students to learn and grow in all aspects.
Want to learn more about what makes us a leading Calgary preschool?
Get Involved at Home to Help Your Child at School
One of the most significant factors in a child’s academic success is parental involvement. Studies have shown that students who have parents involved in their education are more likely to advance to and graduate from higher education. If you are looking to get more involved in your kid’s education, here are some tips!
8 Ways You Can Be Involved in Your Child’s Learning at Home
1. Read with your children
You have probably heard this one before, so we will be brief, but this point bears repeating. Studies have shown that reading with your children for a mere 20 minutes a day substantially improves their reading skills, speaking skills, general knowledge, and vocabulary. Depending on your child's age, you can read to them, or just sit with them while they read to you!
2. Be with your children during homework time
It is quite rare for a child to enjoy doing homework. They would much rather be off doing fun things with their friends! Just by being there, your child will feel more comfortable and better able to concentrate on their schoolwork. You will also be available for them to ask you questions and help them out if they need it. If they do not need your help, just being there for them while doing your own things can put them at ease.
3. Add educational elements to daily activities
There are so many aspects of life that you can make educational for your child - whether it's eating at a restaurant, watching movies, sporting events, or really any other part of the day. Ask your child to try to calculate a 10% tip on the dinner bill, watch a historical/educational movie together, or talk about historical statistics of the Calgary Flames (just don’t mention the lack of a Stanley Cup since 1989).
4. Learn with your child
We are not saying that you should learn the same material as your child! However, you can still do your personal learning while your child does their homework. Maybe you are taking an online course, certification, or just learning for the fun of it; doing it with your child and expressing your love of learning with them might leave an impression of the joys of learning on them.
5. Incorporate Montessori principles into your home
At our Montessori school, our methods have been scientifically proven to improve your child's cognitive, social, and emotional development. Our practices are focused on the holistic development of each of our students. Here are some of the ways you can incorporate Montessori principles into your home.
INCORPORATE MONTESSORI PRINCIPLES INTO YOUR HOME
6. Do some fun, educational activities
Some parents seem to think that education time and leisure time need to be separate. This isn’t necessarily true. There are many fun, educational activities that you can do at home, such as:
- Create a storybook
- Arts and crafts
- Board and card games
- Science experiments
KEEP YOUR KID ACTIVE AND LEARNING THIS WINTER WITH THESE 8 ACTIVITIES
7. Monitor your child’s screen time
Digital technology is becoming more and more a part of all of our lives. While this comes with many incredible benefits, not everything brought on by digital screens is a positive influence. We recommend monitoring your child’s screen time and ensuring that they are living healthy digital lives.
8 WAYS TO HAVE HEALTHY SCREEN TIME FOR YOUR CHILD
8. Help your child with the concepts they struggle with
If your child is having a hard time with a particular subject or unit, you can find some supplemental learning materials to do with your kid. There are countless websites and online resources available on just about any topic you can think of! Alternatively, the library is still a fantastic resource to help with learning and for leisure as well!
We Provide an Authentic Montessori Education At Our NW Calgary Preschool & Daycare
At Grey Matter Montessori, our team is dedicated to creating a learning environment for our students that focuses on academic performance, personal development, learning of social skills, and emotional growth. Call us at 587-707-4739 or fill out our online contact form to get in touch with one of our expert Montessori team members.
FAQ’s
What do I do if my child is struggling at school?
There are many different methods you can try to help your child. Assisting them with their homework, utilizing additional resources in their learning, and enrolling your child in tutoring can all be effective. Talk to your school to learn more about how you can help your child at home.
What are the signs of a struggling student?
If you are unsure if your child needs assistance, here are some telltale signs that you should step in and help:
- Makes negative comments about the school, teachers, subjects, or projects
- Is frustrated, unmotivated, or has difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
- Makes basic errors in schoolwork
- You receive comments from your school about your child's misconduct
Does the Montessori method really work?
Many studies and researchers have found that kids enrolled in Montessori schools had advanced math, comprehension, literacy, and language skills when compared to students who were enrolled in traditional schools.
