This simple yet unknown thing can help your kid succeed in school

One of the most valuable things parents can give their child is time. Involving themselves in different domains of a child's life can do wonders for the child. Be in the form of playing with them or simply sitting with them and listening to them, the amount of time we give our children and the way we spend it with children can effect them in numerous ways. For good academic performance and well-being of the child, parental involvement is very necessary. But there is one more factor, recently discovered in a new research that can help your child succeed in school.

This new research done at the University of Missouri-Columbia suggests that how teachers perceive parental involvement in a child's academic life effects the performance of the child at school.

To understand the academic performance and behavior of a student with regards to the relationship between teachers and parents and the teacher's understanding of parent's involvement in the child's life, researchers observed 1800 students and 100 teachers. A professional development program meant to develop the effective relationship between students, parents and the teachers was created and teachers were randomly assigned to the program. The program also aimed to improve the classroom management skills of the teachers. At the beginning and end of the academic year, teachers were also asked to complete surveys about parents and students.

Keith Herman, the lead researcher and a professor in the MU college of education and his team found something remarkable. Children of parents that were perceived as being more involved in their child's academic life by teachers exhibited better academic and social performance.

"If a teacher has a good relationship with a student's parents or perceives that those parents are positively engaged in their child's education, that teacher may be more likely to give extra attention or go the extra mile for that student. If the same teacher perceives another child's parents to be uninvolved or to have a negative influence on the child's education, it likely will affect how the teacher interacts with both the child and the parent,”  explained Herman in the press release. for the research that will be published in School Psychology Quarterly and the Journal of School Psychology. (Source )

The report not only reflects the importance of having good involvement in your child's life but also having the great relationship with the teachers. We often shower our children with amazing gifts but forget to give them the most important asset they need - time. This scientific research hopefully will encourage parents to understand the value of giving more time to their children.

4 skills your child should know before starting Preschool Education

Starting preschool is one of the most important steps in your child's life. Not only is it a big step for the child, it is a big step for the parents too. So how can you be assured that your child is ready for preschool education, age cannot be the only deciding factor right? Absolutely true. Before your child begins his/her path on education, the child needs to know a few basic things. Here are the 4 basic skills your child should know before starting Preschool education :-

1) Restroom etiquette a.k.a potty training

Although potty training becomes a focus area for parents much before starting playschool education of their child, this is the first time your child will be in an environment without your guidance. Your child should be able to identify the difference between male and female restrooms and also how to signal the teacher that a visit to the restroom is required. Basics like closing the door while using the washroom, washing hands etc. are important.

Furthermore, don't fret too much as most of the good playschools usually have support staff to help your child with the restroom usage.

2) Basic understanding of some concepts

Education of a child first begins at home. While you need not do everything by yourself for good learning of your child, an understanding of basic concepts like identifying letters, numbers , colors, shapes etc. makes sailing through preschool education easier.

Instilling love for reading stories and poems is something not only your child will enjoy, it will also help him/her take interest in the class. Your child must also be mentally prepared for following directions from the teacher.

3) Information regarding one's safety

Nothing matters more than the safety of the child which makes it very important for the child to know some basic information like house number, parent's name etc. You can also try to help your child learn your number. Sure, it is not going to be easy but highly beneficial.

Providing the child with basic sense of information regarding who is allowed to touch them and how along with what should they do in such a situation is one of the best things you can do for your child.

4) Social skills and independence

It is highly likely that the child likes to stick around one of the parents (or better, both :)). But this is the stage where your child needs to have a certain sense of independence. Independence involves not just self-care skills like managing a running nose, hand-washing , opening lunch etc. but also involves letting the child make a few choices for himself/herself.
Small, innocuous mistakes can be a great learning tool for your child.

Your child should also understand the concept of sharing with others and if possible, be comfortable in interacting with other children. An understanding of good gestures like “Thank you” or “Please” helps your child not only in the preschool but outside it as well.

Finding a great preschool can be a frustrating task in itself, make sure having your child in one is not. And most importantly, enjoy the process.