Probably one of the most widely studied aspects of education practice is the positive effect that parental involvement in education has on a child’s overall academic and socialization success.  The positive link between parental involvement in education and the child’s academic success has been demonstrated in study after study for a number of years. Additionally, parental involvement in education is considered by many in the education professionals to be one of the most important factors to a child’s success.

According to a 2003 survey conducted by Public Agenda, two-thirds of public school teachers said that an increase in parental involvement in education would help the children perform better, and 72% said that children with uninvolved parents are more likely to fall behind.

What do Studies Say about Parental Involvement in Education

A comprehensive study by SEDL, which combined the results of 51 studies on the effect of parental involvement in education, concluded that parental involvement in education is key to a number of academic success factors.

Parental involvement in education is important to learning success!

Children whose parents are involved in their education earn higher grades and are more likely to enroll in higher level classes and honors programs. They are also more likely to pass their classes, earn credits and attend school more regularly than children of uninvolved parents. The study also reports that children with involved parents have better social skills, improved classroom behavior and higher self-esteem.

What does this mean for parents of early education and pre-school kids?

While most of the studies of parent involvement in education focus on k-12, parental involvement with their child’s pre-K education is just as important. Research into the involvement of parents in their pre-school kid’s education has also shown a positive effect on academic outcomes when they reach kindergarten and elementary school, and kids who enjoy a high level of parental involvement make the transition into kindergarten and elementary more smoothly.

Perhaps the most important finding, however, is the fact that parents who actively participate in the education of their pre-school kids develop habits and attitudes to their child’s education that are beneficial to the child and are more likely to support their children through further education. Just like the kids, parents benefit from educational engagement with their child.

Some ways you can become more involved with your child’s pre-K education

After reading all the benefits of being in involved in your child’s education, you may be wondering how you, as a parent, can get involved in your child’s learning. As you have learned, parental involvement in education is a critical factor to ensuring their success. There are a number of fun and exciting way that you can get involved in your child’s learning.

Volunteer in the Classroom

Volunteering in your child’s classroom is a great way to learn about the world that your little one is learning in, and being there tells your child that school is a safe and inviting place where they can thrive. In an age when parents often only show up to school only when their child is in trouble, it is important to signal to you child at an early age that school is a positive and fun place to be.

Learn at home

While it is important to be involved in your child’s classroom, parental involvement education does not stop at the classroom door. Just as important is making your home an extension of the classroom by creating a fun and engaging learning environment.

Games are a great way to learn at home!

As mentioned in a previous post, there are hundreds of education oriented games that you can play with your child. Games make education fun. You can also read to your child or share one of your talents or skills with them. Teach them age appropriate things, of course. If you play an instrument or like art, you can introduce your child to the world of music, song and art when they aren’t learning in the classroom.

Talk to your Child’s Teacher

Talk to your child’s teacher about how they are doing, how they are behaving in class and if any problems arise. It is important to keep an open line of communication between you and their teacher. This way, both of you can coordinate and have an established relationship if any problems arise in your child’s progress.

These are just some of the ways that you can get involved in your child’s education. The National Education Association has a fantastic resource page for parents who want to get more involved with their child’s education. Use these resources and the tips above to help your child succeed and get the best out of their education.

At Noah’s Ark Childcare Center in Reno our dedicated and experienced childcare team is will help you get involved in your child’s education in a safe and inviting environment. At Noah’s Ark Childcare Center in Reno, you and your will learn together, grow together and thrive together.

On a hot summer day or when it is pouring cats and dogs outside, children can end up stuck inside with no structured activities planned. Few things can ruin a day faster than a bored child. Combat boredom with fun games for the kids and creating free play time!

Games Help A Child’s Development

Playing games with your children can not only bring your family closer together, but a “family game night” could set a child up for a more successful future. Recent studies reveal that a child’s executive function may have more to do with successful learning than a high IQ or sheer talent.

Unlike structured activities like team sports, free play and board games have a strong influence on improving a child’s executive function to make a child more self-sufficient in the future. Playing board games or card games with school age children can help foster their attention, concentration, visual-spatial processing, impulse control, and problem solving skills.

What better way to work on a terrifying muscle like impulse control than while playing a fun game? Even in the high stakes of a game, there may be less tears and fighting than if a caretaker were to teach impulse control in other scenarios.

Building Connections

Games offer kids a great environment for children to learn the fundamentals of teamwork, which is extremely important as they grow up. If children can learn how to work together at an early age, that skill will propel them to fostering meaningful relationships and a great work environment as adults.

Playing games as a family can bring your family closer together. If you have children that are a few years apart, a common entertaining activity like your family’s favorite game can keep siblings connected. Having a game night or board game time also allows you as a parent quality time with your children to learn about what is going on in their lives. In the demanding landscape of lessons, sports, and extracurricular activities, creating that time as a family can become very precious.

Outdoor Play

When the weather permits, outdoor games can help children’s cardiovascular health and teamwork skills. Outdoor games are especially helpful for children to improve coordination and get outside with nature!

Outdoor games with kids can sometimes lead to more ouchies than indoor games, so make sure your child center or caretaker is equipped to prevent and treat any child’s injuries.

Noah’s Ark Child Center

At Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno, we offer preschool programs as well as before and after school programs to take care of your children. The child care programs at Noah’s Ark Child Center help children develop learning skills and socialization in order to expand a child’s education beyond time in the classroom.

Activities are diverse within our child care programs. Crafts, computers, games, stories, science, cooking, visitors and outdoor activities are included in the children’s time, so there are great learning opportunities across the board.

Visit us today to enter your child into a child care program in Reno at Noah’s Ark Child Center!

It’s summer and at Noah’s Ark we want the children to know it is summer and the word for each day is FUN! Everyday we have a different theme that our kids take part in. We have fancy hair day, sidewalk chalk day, LEGO day, pirate day,  dinosaur day, treasure hunt day and more but the children’s all time favorite is WATER day.

Some days it is sprinkler fun and other days it is pool splashing or even mud pie madness.We like to put a water hose at the top of the slide that sends them sliding into the arms of a teacher, safe and sound and ready to get back in line for round two.  Then we lay on our towels on the grassy hill for a little sunshine and warmth before we go again. We love summer and the fun that each day brings.

When it’s not Water Day the kids are enjoying another one of our many themes or learning. Before the kids go home everyday we make sure they learn something new and have fun while doing so! We believe at Noah’s Ark that having fun is a great way to learn!