Most parents accept their role as their child's first teacher. But once they send their little one to school, they often give up that title. However, children are constantly learning, even when they're not in school, and parents can help them grow and thrive through parental involvement in education, during and after school.
"Learning is not an academic process," says Dr. Roxy Szeftel, Director of Child Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. "[It is] a lifelong process that doesn't end when school ends."
By acknowledging that children are learning 24/7, parents can better decide which activities after school best suit their children's needs. For example, a child interested in animals might volunteer at a Humane Society instead of watching television after school. And a child who struggles in social situations can join a book club rather than read alone in her room every afternoon.
You'll find many programs--such as organized sports, interest-based clubs and community service opportunities--to help children learn more than what's taught in textbooks. Barb Abromitis is the mom of three girls who are involved with club soccer. "They like it because they get to travel, the training is great, and they've met some new friends," she says. "I like it for them because they are learning time management, social skills, and how to work hard at something to get better."
Other parents also recognize the advantages of extra-curricular activities. Some feel their children benefit from cooking or sign language classes at a local community college. Others appreciate the education their children get from volunteering in the community. Many parents value the discipline and self-control learned in karate classes or other athletic activity.
There are hundreds of opportunities for your child to extend his learning beyond the classroom, but not every experience will be right for every child.
"Interest is the key to motivation," explains Victoria Kindle Hodson, co-author of Discover Your Child's Learning Style (Prima Publishing, 1999).
Parents should help children decide which activities will complement the things they enjoy.
Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis, co-founder of Learning-Success ® Institute, says, "If they love what they're doing, it gives them the opportunity to learn and to share."
But children don't need to go away from home to learn. Dr. Szeftel says, "I think education starts at the dinner table." She adds that discussing what was learned each day "promotes the value and usefulness of what kids are learning in the school."
In addition to talking about what was learned, parents can also help enhance their children's learning. For example, when a child is learning about fractions in school, he can help make a pizza at home. Measurements and conversions will lead to their own reward-an edible fraction pie.
A child reading Romeo and Juliet or To Kill a Mockingbird in school can have his learning extended by watching the movie with his parents and then discussing the differences between the author's version and Hollywood's take.
"A lot of the best learning happens without people knowing it," says Dr. Szeftel. By acknowledging that your child is always learning, tuning into his interests and being nonjudgmental, parents can help kids learn to be self-confident, self-reliant self-learners. These qualities will help children succeed not only in school, but also in life.
Lisamarie Sanders is a former teacher currently raising her two young children. She is a freelance writer who specializes in family and education articles.