Reflection on Two Articles
The articles under consideration reveal the problem of the involvement of parents in children’s education. Nowadays, parents often display a small interest in their children’s academic success. Some are busy at work while others do not like being involved in the process of studying. Still, the problem of involvement increases. The articles explain the significance of being involved, reasons for parent’s lack of ok of interest, and possible solutions.
Patricia Clark Brown has written the article “Involving Parents in the Education of their Children”. The author provides readers with information concerning ways of involvement and potential difficulties. Brown starts the article with the enumeration of the benefits of taking part in schooling. The second part of the article is devoted to the ways of parents’ involvement. All of these ways are valid only to some extent. For instance, it is written that almost every school has Parent Teacher Associations though the small number of parents are active (Brown par. 4).
Some parents may not enjoy the idea to become a member just because they do not like it. Teachers should find the most significant reason for the parent’s lack of interest and improve the situation. Ways of reaching parents described by Brown represent a comprehensive approach. It is of great significance to show parents the methods of enhancing their children’s academic success at home. Talking about school activities during the preparation of the dinner can be useful.
Nevertheless, teachers, as well as parents, should understand that children need to have a rest after school. That is why parents cannot always demand to talk about school. In the last part of the article, Brown examines the reasons for being not involved in the educational process. The author describes the most common causes. Still, parents may have many other barriers that prevent their active participation. It is the task of the teacher to find an individual approach for every parent to enhance children’s success.
The article entitled “5 Tips for Engaging Parent Volunteers in the Classroom” was written in 2013 by Karen Bantuveris. The author displays a profound knowledge of the problem and suggests exciting and innovative techniques to increase the number of volunteers among parents. Thus, she states that written notes are no longer relevant. Teachers should employ modern technologies to encourage parents (Bantuveris par. 2).
This advice is of great significance. Teachers often prefer to do not to make any modifications. Such treatment is unacceptable in the world that is continuously changing. It is also true that sometimes teachers do not set particular goals for parents. They can ask parents to come to help, and when parents do this, it turns out that there is no exact plan. Such an approach brings only adverse results as far as most people are busy nowadays.
They do not like to waste their time and can be demotivated by such an attitude. Bantuveris emphasizes the significance of appreciation. Teachers should show parents the results of their work. They can send photos or videos via Skype or e-mail demonstrating children having fun in the new conditions. Besides, they can call parents to thank for their assistance with homework preparation. Any appreciation can promote a further desire to become a volunteer.
The problem of a parent’s involvement in children’s schooling is becoming more and more urgent nowadays. The teacher should take into consideration various aspects of modern life to increase the level of engagement and achieve better results.
Works Cited
Bantuveris, Karen. 5 Tips for Engaging Parent Volunteers in the Classroom. 2013. Web.
Brown, Patricia Clark. Involving Parents in the Education of their Children. 1998. Web.