Newspaper article of Monday February 26th 2007.

Question:  I have been asked to be a parent-helper in the grade 2 class. I hated school and am not too good with reading and writing. I want to support my child but I'm afraid of looking dumb. What are parent helpers expected to do and know?

Answer:

MANY parents feel a little nervous or apprehensive about being invited into the classroom to help, so don't worry, that is a pretty normal response. Its great that you want to support your child and you will be pleasantly surprised at the sorts of experiences and activities you can do to help out in the classroom or kindergarten room. This is one of the great things about schools and early childhood programs. Building the link between home and school, helping to facilitate relationships between parents and staff and providing opportunities for children to have their parent or caregiver participate in a range of ways either in the classroom or within the school all help to promote a positive and productive foundation for learning for children. Children come to see that learning takes place in many places and involves many people, including their parents, peers and teachers. It also provides parents and caregivers with the opportunity to observe and understand a little about the curriculum and strategies that are being used to help children learn. The term "parent helper" means many different things. Parent involvement and participation in schools and early-childhood programs is an important element of teaching and learning and building links between home and the school. All schools will provide an information session or sessions to give an outline of the sorts of roles, timelines and tasks you might like to do. Schools are often very eager to have the personal talents and interests of parents shared with small groups or the whole class. You may play the guitar, know how to make pasta, be a doctor or nurse or dentist. You may be a great story teller or reader. You may speak another language or sing. You may just enjoy sitting with small groups of children as they write or read and just chat with them. You are not expected to be an expert in literacy and numeracy or to do the work for the children. Some schools will ask you to sit with a particular group and perhaps play a game. Other schools may want you to help out with out-door physical activates. Many schools are now implementing a play-based curriculum and they are always eager to have parents help the children in their investigations and projects. Some schools may have a specific role connected with some elements of literacy or numeracy. They will help you to understand what they would like you to do. It does not require you to know as much as the teachers. You may be given an opportunity to hear children read. If this does not suit you or you don't feel confident it doesn't matter. There are many other ways in which you can show an interest and support your child. If you are working during school times, consider other ways in which you can help out. You might want to be part of a committee or council or board of management. You may wish to help out with working bees on weekends and take your children along to these. There are increasing numbers of activates for parents after hours as well as within school times so that parents are able to participate in any way they wish and have time for. Often parents feel guilty - guilty for not being able to help out or for not having the time they wish they did have. You don't have to feel guilty if you have little time to visit the classroom. Just be who you are, do what you can do and accept what you cannot do. Your children are still learning at home as well as at school and early-childhood programs. Your contribution to them is immeasurable and valuable whether you are in the classroom with them from time to time or not. If you are lucky enough to have time, enjoy it and relax and don't worry. You will be well looked after and the children will love having you there.

Copyright © Kathy Walker 2007

Kathy Walker is an education consultant specialising in early childhood and primary years and a former lecturer at RMIT University. Kathy is also the author of "Whats the Hurry? Reclaiming Childhood in an Overscheduled World.