From pizza days to fundraisers, parent council to field trips – just because your child is in school during the day doesn’t mean you’re off the clock. While it is easy to assume teachers bear the responsibility for success in the classroom, studies show that the more involved you are as a parent, the more successful your child will be during their time at school.

In fact, research consistently shows that students with involved parents continually display improved social behaviour, adapt well to school, perform well academically, enroll in high-level programs, experience increased self-esteem, attend school regularly and are more likely to graduate.

Knowing the positive impact parent involvement will have in the long term, how can you ensure that you’re present enough to help your child reach their full potential inside and outside classroom walls?

Be a team player.
Think of yourself as a partner in managing your child’s education. Get to know your teammates, including your child’s teachers, teaching assistants, before and after school care providers etc. Knowing how your child is doing in the classroom helps you to gauge their abilities in the home environment. Understanding the milestones your child is expected to achieve will help you understand how to better support them in the home.

Monitor academic milestones.
No, we’re not telling you to build your child’s papier-mâché sea turtle for art class. We’re encouraging you to ask the right questions and stay in the know when it comes to upcoming assignments, exams and projects. Doing so not only keeps you connected to your child but also encourages accountability outside the classroom.

Volunteer at School (as much as you can).
Needless to say, being present is the easiest way to be present. Of course, time doesn’t always allow for you to take hours out of the middle of your busy day. Commit yourself to volunteering on a quarterly basis. Make the time to be a present figure in your child’s school life. Not only does this show your child that you’ll make the time to get involved, but it also provides you with additional insight into school dynamics, friendships and issues that he/she may not discuss when at home.

Ask the right questions.
Showing a genuine interest in your child’s school activities can be just as important as showing up for a school function or event. In addition to creating a strong bond between you and your child, constant communication allows you to gauge your child’s abilities on both an academic and behavioural level. This enables you to follow along in your child’s progression and makes it easier to identify when they might in need of some extra support.

The best part? Increasing your involvement with the school actually helps make you more confident in your parenting and decision-making skills. A win-win for all involved and the first step in creating a support system that works – for you and your child.