Parent
participation in a classroom is a wonderful way to get the parents involved in
the educational process of their child. Traditionally
parents have participated as volunteers in the classroom.
However this mode of participation has its own advantages and
disadvantages. In following
paragraphs we will examine the various ways in which teachers can involve
parents and benefit all those involved.
Problems
Associate with Parent Participation
1.
Involves
extra time and work on part of the teacher to prepare the parent for
participation
2.
Some
parents do not have the time to participate in class activities
3.
Some
parent promise to come and don’t show up
4.
Teachers
maybe apprehensive about the professional and appropriate behavior of the parent
5.
Teachers
may also be leery of the parents constantly observing them
6.
Teachers
may also be concerned with the distraction that parent participation brings with
it
Advantages
of Parent Participation:
1.
Gives
parents first hand information of what goes on in their child’s classroom
2.
Child
feels valued because he or she cherishes the time they get to spend with their
parents in their class
3.
Extra
pair of hands in the class
4. Parents may also serve as a resource for the teacher
Steps
in Parent Participation
1.
First
explore your parents’ ,background, talents and resources they have access to.
This can be accomplished by means of an interest and information
questionnaire at the beginning of the year.
Be sure to include questions about extended family and whether they would
be willing to participate
2.
Then as
and when needed if a particular need arises in the preschool send a notice to
the parents who satisfy your need in terms of serving as a resource
3.
You could
also encourage informal visits by the parents for observation, birthdays,
holiday celebrations, lunches, field trips etc.
4.
Post a
list of parent participation opportunities on the parent bulletin board.
These could include a list of teaching and non teaching tasks. Examples
of teaching tasks include
·
read to
children
·
play math
and manipulative games with them
·
assist in
library trips and chores
·
assist in
computer work
·
assist in
learning centers
·
help in
field trips, class projects
·
assist in
cooking activities
·
share
ideas and maybe teach children about their own culture, hobbies, jobs etc.
The
parents could help in the following non teaching tasks
·
answer
phones
·
make
manipulatives and games at home
·
help in
classroom display and setup of children’s work
·
build and
repair equipment and materials
·
bring
materials from home (e.g. toys, other usable materials like empty milk cartons,
egg cartons etc.)
·
supply
materials for dramatic play
·
organize
and maintain the school’s computer system
·
monitor
children during nap time
·
supply
store bought goodies for celebrations
·
bring
writing supplies
·
bring
small appliances for children to take apart
5.
After the parent participation it is very important to acknowledge the
parent’s role by writing a note or mentioning it in the parent newsletter.
This will encourage future participation.