Here's Some Food For Thought

Who is responsible for educating your child? Is it a combined effort in your mind? Or is it solely the responsibility of the teacher? According to a recent poll conducted by Zogby International and Hot Chalk:

Campbell, Calif. — July 16, 2008 -- HotChalk, the first collaborative online education resource to connect K-12 teachers, students and parents, today announced the first findings of an omnibus survey profiling teachers’ attitudes about jobs and resources. Conducted by Zogby International, it said that teachers are not receiving adequate support from parents.

The survey’s most disconcerting result was that 65% of teachers surveyed believe parents find teachers to be fully responsible for their child’s academic progress.

Edward Fields, Chairman and CEO of HotChalk, said: “Parents often place the burden on teachers for shouldering every bit of responsibility for the education of their children. In reality, educational success of our nation’s youth requires a serious team effort beyond the bi-annual parent-teacher conference.

Teachers cannot succeed without consistent parental involvement in the education process. If the parent isn’t connected to their own child’s education, they are not preparing a child to be successful. Period.” (source)

Let me share some advice with parents about your child's education. Be actively engaged in the process! Do not allow your child to be enrolled in any educational program that you are not willing to monitor or participate in. Your active presence does have impact on your child's education.

Parents are the first teacher's that children encounter. You share your social knowledge and your knowledge of the world. Preparing your child for school is more than just the enrollment process. You have to consider what is being demanded of you as a parent. Take time to talk to your child's teacher about goals, progress and concerns. If your child needs help to be successful, do not hesitate to find it.

If I had to address my children's parents on this issue, these would be my list of suggestions:

1. Teach your child social manners. That's right, good old fashioned manners. Teach them to greet people. To say yes or no. Please and thank you. etc. This is not acting European. It is important for children of all backgrounds to be able to communicate and conduct their business in socially acceptable ways.

2. Clean up your language! Profanity is an adult mode of communication. Your child using profanity is not cute! Nor is it a positive reflection on the household that they are being reared in. I have preschoolers make statements that have floored me. They have said some pretty adult things to other children and adults. While people want to blame the child for using adult language, I hold the teacher of the language responsible. That would be the parent/parents. Children learn language from you first.

3. Teach your child basic information about themselves and your family. That would include the name you placed on their birth certificate. Vital personal information empowers children. Having this body of knowledge could help your child during an emergency situation. I get flack every year because I do not teach addresses and phone numbers. You know your address and phone number too. Ask for advice on how to help your child learn simple tasks.

4. Limit television time. And pick some quality programming please! I am a big fan of PBS programming for children. It provides children with an entertaining way to learn and use their skills. Watch what your child watches. I use to sit down at the beginning of the new shows season with my sons to view their picks. I was amazed at how violent some of the shows were. And don't allow them to sit in front of the television all of the time. Fresh air, sunshine and activity are a part of educational experiences.

5. Avoid over the top celebrations: This is becoming a trend that I find to be really annoying. One of the things that I have noticed over the past five years is the tendency to do too much at one event. Allow your child to experience rites of passage during their lifetime.

6. Allow your children to be children! Dressing your little darling in labels and demanding that they stay clean or else~only creates anxiety for the child. I have had children who have almost hyper-ventilated because of a smudge or spill that occurred accidentally. I am a firm believer that getting dirty every once and awhile is a great teaching tool. It shows that it does happen and that it can be cleaned up.

7. Do not enter school talking on your cell phones! This is so rude and thoughtless to your child. I have watched children struggle to gain a parent's attention during their conversations. Unless it is an emergency, wait until after your child has reunited with you and has shared what happened during their school day. Give them your attention please.

8. Discipline your child. They will appreciate it in the long run. Stop giving in to their every whim and tantrum just to keep from being embarrassed by their behavior. Your child shows out because it gains their desired results. Give reasonable outcomes for negative behavior. Let them know what is incorrect and what is correct.

Let me know your views on the subject of who is responsible for educating children.

Related link: Check out Electronic Village. Villager has a post that is related to father's and their children's education. I read it and it is really dynamic!