Schools Should Consider These Parent Involvement Activities

When it comes to getting parents involved in their children’s education, being creative might be the best way to engage them. You have to think outside of the box. Think about your population and consider these parent involvement activities to increase attendance.

Here are some things you must do to get parents more involved:

1. Provide childcare–Many parents can’t afford to hire a babysitter for an evening to attend activities at their child’s school. With that in mind, find ways to provide childcare on site for parents to utilize as needed. Ask for volunteers to entertain little ones while parents are involved elsewhere in the building. Be sure to have a check-in and check-out sheet with parent cell phone numbers if possible. High school students, especially Honor Society Students, are always looking for volunteer hours. This is a win-win for everyone involved.
2. Consider offering food–Depending on the time of day you have your activities, you might want to consider providing some type of food. You might want to order pizzas, provide sub sandwiches, desserts, or fruits. People love food and will gather to visit when food is provided.
3. Provide interpreters–If you have parents who don’t speak the language spoken at their child’s school, you should provide interpreters who can help the parents communicate effectively with teachers as needed. See if your school has interpreters available, and if not, find a volunteer to help.
4. Provide hands-on activities–One of the best ways to learn is through hands-on activities like crafts, writing, etc. These activities might be a “make and take” item where the parents actually make something that’s being presented and then take it home to enjoy. Think of science experiments, toothpick structures, seasonal crafts and more for ideas.
5. Advertise well in advance and often–Sometimes the news about upcoming activities for parents to attend gets buried in the bottom of the backpack rather than in the parents’ hands. Be sure to advertise the event well in advance so parents can plan accordingly, and consider sending home numerous flyers with the information. Create a phone call chain inviting them to the event or simply send an email or text message. Some schools even have a Facebook group/ page for the school’s events and activities. Try a variety of ways to advertise the event so parents will be able to be more involved.

Parent involvement activities is vital to student success. Not only does it help the child’s learning, it also establishes a positive relationship with teachers and school officials. Try some or all of the “Must Do” tips to see if your parent involvement increases. Contact CoolSpeak to learn more about our Parent Workshops and Programs. You don’t have to do these events on your own. We can help!