The term “curriculum of the home” is made up of the patterns within your family life that support your child’s ability to learn in school. Your parenting practices and the relationships you build with your child’s school help your child succeed.
Many parents are concerned about their ability to support academic areas such as math or science. This is not necessary for your child’s success at school or even in these areas that you may possess weaknesses. Parents don’t have to go out and buy expensive devices or special equipment to support a child’s school success. Actually, one of the most important things that parents can do is engage their children in conversations.
Here are a few proven practices that can help benefit your family:
PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
Daily Conversations about Everyday Events
- Take time to understand your child’s world-friends, music, activities, etc…
- Spend a few minutes every day with each child, talking and listening with love and patience.
- Talk to your child about strengths and interests you’ve noticed, both in school subjects and outside of school.
Showing Affection
- Show love and affection to your child in many ways, like hugs, and praise for efforts and special time together.
Family Discussions[books, TV programs, web content, games, etc…]
- Talk with your child about what he/she is reading and you, too. The more you read, not surf the web content] the more of a reader your child will be.
Family Visits to Museums, Libraries, Zoos, etc…
- Take your child to places where learning is a family activity.
- Ask school staff or other parents for ideas, local attractions, free exhibits and other low or no cost places your family could visit together.
ROUTINE OF FAMILY LIFE
Formal Study Time at Home
- Make daily study time a family value- something each child does with or without formal homework assignments from school.
A Daily Routine that Includes a Time to Eat, Play, Sleep, Study and Read
- Establish a family routine with regular mealtimes, bedtimes, homework/study time and free play[indoor or outdoor]time.
- Make sure that your child eats nutritious foods, as healthy as possible, with limited sugary snacks, and that your child sees a dentist regularly.
- Make school attendance a priority for your family, and have your child complete makeup or missed work due to absence from school, ASAP. because of an illness or other family issues that may arise.
A Quiet Place to Study and Read
- Find a spot in your home, with good lighting, to designate as the study area where there is also little to no distractions.
FAMILY EXPECTATIONS AND SUPERVISION
Children Expected to Do Their Best and Take Responsibility for What They Do
- Children expected to be on time
- Prioritize schoolwork and reading over games and screen time. You don’t have to sell your devices or hide them, but you do have to set limits and conditions.
- Praise your child for real efforts and good attitudes about school work
- Show concern for proper and effective use of language. As much as you can, model correct and proper English.
- Model courtesy when talking with your child using words such as please, thank you, etc…
- Parental knowledge about schoolwork and personal growth. Talk to your child’s teachers, other school staff and your child, too.
- Check progress at school, review report cards , attend school conferences. Ask your child to “tell me something you learned in school today?”, rather that yes/no questions.
- Ask to see your child’s assignment book and check it daily if in early grades[you may need to sign them]. For upper grades, ask your child or your child’s teachers for the syllabus for the class, detailing homework, projects and exam dates.
- Check with your child’s school website for new information frequently. Find out if your child’s teacher[s] use a smartphone app, email, or other platforms to communicate with students’ families. This enables you personalized and even private contact with the teacher.
These are but a few practice strategies that parents can utilize as components of your curriculum in the home. Please share and tell us what unique things you do in your home in the comments section of this post.
To access a free copy of the Family Guide, listing many more strategies and areas of parenting and family life that may help you and your child, follow the link below:
Click to access FamilyGuide.pdf
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