| {{B}}
"Helping them isn't about showing your kids how to do the work. It's about being genuinely interested and having regular conversations about what they're learning," says J. Gary Knowles, a professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, part of the University of Toronto. Rozon has a slew of suggestions for how to get more involved. "Get to know the teacher. Discuss ways to tailor the assignments to your child's learning style. Spend time in the classroom. Ask for outlines of unit studies so you can find supplementary materials at the library or through videos. Read your child's textbooks: If you work a few pages ahead, you'll be able to help them with problems they encounter." Reading is another must, says Rozon. "Even after your children can read themselves, hearing somebody else read aloud is important. We nearly always have a book on the go; we read for at least a half hour before bedtime." The more engaged a parent is, the more the child benefits, adds Bruce Arai. "The evidence is clear: Parental involvement is one of the most important factors in school success." Arai cites the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), which is measuring all aspects of child development. "The hours children spend in class are but one element of their education," states HRDC, which says parental support, along with teacher support and a positive attitude towards school, all contribute to academic success. "I see every moment of every day as a learning experience," says Goforth. "The most satisfying part of it is seeing the love of learning continued. I'm not squelching my children's desire to learn by insisting they learn. They learn because they want to." Adds Jeanne Lambert, mother of Carey Graham: "Make the time, take the time, guide, lead, and encourage. If nothing else, your children learn you care, and that's the most important lesson you can give them." |