Every once in a while, you might be shopping with your child, when another child whom you have never met comes over and says, “Hi.” It is at these moments that you are reminded that your child has a whole life outside of your home that you are simply not a part of. Playgroup, summer camp, Shabbos groups, and school are all places that children experience a certain degree of independence, an opportunity to socialize with peers, and a chance to explore the world on their own terms, outside of the family structure.

At the same time, however, remaining aware of our children’s lives outside of the home is, of course, important. We want to know that our children are safe. We want to be aware of whom they are spending their time with. And, we want to be able incorporate the lessons learned and experiences had outside of the home into the home environment.

This need for engagement in our child’s lives outside of the home is particularly important when it comes to the child’s school life. Indeed, even very young children often spend more time outside of the home at school than they do at home, and more waking hours with their teachers than they do with their parents. Most of our children’s social lives, exploration, and, of course, learning takes place at school, and, to a significant degree, a large part of our responsibilities toward our children relates to translating the lessons and experience of school into life at home. There are many ways in which a warm and involved home/school partnership can serve to better the lives of our children and ensure their continued growth and development.

1. Homework: Homework is not just busywork for children. It is an essential component of your child’s education. Homework serves as a review of what was taught by the teachers in class, as well as an opportunity for your child to explore topics further and in more depth. Homework is also a tool that helps teachers monitor children’s understanding of the topics taught in class. While it is important that children do their homework independently and that their responses reflect their own (and not their parents’) understanding of the subject, it is equally important that parents are able to assist their children with assignments they find difficult and help their children focus on completing the assignments given. Many of the current methods of education in math, social studies, even social skills development have changed since parents were in school, and an involved parent/school partnership will help not only your child’s education but your own skills development as well, so that you can fulfill your role of being an integral component of your child’s education.
2. Information sharing: Sometimes, what happens in school has an impact on what happens at home, and vice-versa. A difficult morning with a sibling may lead to a bad mood when your child gets to class, and a disagreement with a friend at school may lead to a sullen mood once your child returns home. A warm and engaged home/school relationship serves as a foundation for sharing pertinent information between settings that can help your child achieve and feel good in all aspects of his or her life.
3. Carryover: Knowing what your children are learning in school is not only important for helping your child with formal homework assignments, but with informal education as well. Carryover from school to home is another way that your child’s educational experiences can be maximized. Is your child learning to count in school? Then how about having your child count the number of plates needed while setting the table for dinner? Is your child learning how to manage conflict with friends at school? Then how about using those same techniques at home with siblings? Is your physical therapist doing exercises twice a week at school that your child would benefit from performing twice a day? As much time as your child spends at school, if school remains independent of the rest of his or her life, your child’s full potential may never be realized.

These examples are just a few of the many ways that the home/school partnership serves to help children reach their potential in all aspects of life. The question now becomes, how can I develop this warm and engaged partnership? The answer, while it may seem obvious, nevertheless requires some action on the part of the parents: Be involved.

Parental involvement in a child’s school life can take many forms, but whatever the form, involvement is the key. Attend parent/teacher conferences, school assemblies, and school-run parent-education programs. Call the teacher with questions about homework assignments. Sit in on a physical therapy session so that you can learn the exercises to do at home. Inform the school of significant events in your child’s life. And, of course, insist that your child’s school do the same.

The home/school partnership is just that: A partnership, with both parties taking equal responsibilities and sharing each other’s challenges and successes. By working together, everyone in your child’s life can be part of helping your child’s overall development, and leading to success in all of his or her endeavors.

Marcy Glicksman, MEd. is the program director of the HASC/Gan Ezra Preschool and Early Intervention Program in Rockland County. She is also the recreation program coordinator at Camp HASC. She holds an MS in Special Education from Hunter College, and an MEd in Educational Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has been working in the field of special education for 15 years. Please feel free to contact her directly at HASC at 845-356-0191 or at marcy.glicksman@hasc.net.

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