p a re n t i n g
| by Marilee Peters
Keeping Kids in School: Parents Value Education
If I asked you, right now, to name the person in your life who had the biggest influence on your success at school, I’m willing to bet that most of you would tell me about a really great teacher you once had. The person who immediately comes to mind might be that grade five teacher who helped you to come out from your shell, conquer your shyness and discover your passion for learning. Or you might have fond memories of that preschool or kindergarten teacher who was so friendly and welcoming making you feel comfortable and safe in your first anxious days in a classroom. There’s no question that good teachers make a huge impact on kids’ experiences at school, and I’m thankful every day that the local elementary school my children attend has teachers who are passionate about helping kids explore, learn and grow. Who had the most impact on my learning? It’s not a teacher. I am proud to say the people that influenced me most was my parents.
Research consistently demonstrates that a child’s learning doesn’t stop when we pick them up from school or childcare at the end of the day – and not limited to inside a school building or childcare centre. In fact, it is what happens at home. One child development expert recently shared with me: “Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers and their first and most important nurses, coaches, safety officers, nutritionists and moral guides.” How’s that for a bracing reminder of the significance of our jobs as parents? As a parent, I know that my attitudes to learning and school, as well as the examples I set, are all factors that will have the biggest influence on how my children learn and value education.