Yesterday, I helped four Year 1 boys research 'toys and games from the past'. Last week I got very competitive playing maths games with Year 4 students. Next week I will be doing some one-on-one work , listening to young children read. I have little friends all over Primary who wave to me and share stories of their weekends, and a sneaky insider's knowledge of day-to-day school life.
I am not a teacher, just one one of many parents who volunteer some of their time each week to help in class.
Never did I imagine I would be one of them; after many years tackling early literacy and numeracy with my own children as a stay-at-home mum, I was only too pleased to hand this task over to somebody else once my children started school and I returned to work. But when I received a class email calling for parent volunteers and found myself with a free morning or two, I thought I'd have a go. I'm very glad I did.
As a parent teacher helper, I get a better understanding of what happens in class - from the teaching methods to the social dynamic between the children. I witness first-hand how my children behave (or not) at school, get to know the other children, teachers and parents, and enjoy many lively discussions with the children I work with.
Research from Child Trends indicates that parental involvement in school is linked to better grades and fewer behavioural problems in students, particularly in Primary School.
But it's not just the parent helpers and their children who benefit.
Helping out in class helps build a stronger school community. It allows more children to have important one-on-one help and attention (eg with reading and maths drills). It frees the teacher up to focus on small groups or individuals. It gives students greater social confidence and experience of diversity as they work with different adults.
And yes, dads, that includes you. Boys particularly benefit from seeing men join in with classroom learning activities.
The amount and complexity of parental help required in the classroom varies from school to school and class to class. Not all teachers want it or need it. Others will schedule weekly rosters and some will only require occasional help. Teachers will usually send out an email or notice to parents asking for classroom help if it is needed. However, there is no harm contacting your child's teacher directly to offer your support and help, should you not receive such a request.
In-class activities parents may help with include:
Unless you are a Blue Card holder, you will only be permitted to help with the class your child attends. You may be asked to read and agree to a list of school policies/guidelines and sign a registration form in advance of volunteering.
Parent volunteers are not usually required to have any prior teaching skills or specialist knowledge (unless they are in class specifically to give a talk or share a skill). A small number of schools do, however, give parents training in the specific teaching strategies used in class.
Typically parents will arrive 5-10 minutes before they are required, the teacher will outline the activities they will be supervising and talk them through any materials and exercise sheets that will be used.
Do you help out in your child's classroom? Share your experiences below.