- Ask what your child thinks of her or his school—some have a strong attachment, while others feel uncomfortable or unattached. Ask your son or daughter which part of school is his or her favorite. (Don’t be surprised if your younger children answer “recess” or “lunch.”)
- Read your child’s school newspaper or the community newspaper to keep up-to-date on what’s happening at school. Instead of asking your child “How was school?” every day after he or she gets home, talk about some of the issues you’ve come across in the paper.
- The lives of teens and preteens change with dizzying speed, so you’ll have to ask questions if you want to keep up. Make time to connect over a favorite meal, in the car, or on a walk so that the conversation can flow into what’s really going on.
- If your child is reluctant to talk about school, try talking to her or his teacher; if there is a problem in the classroom, your child’s teacher can fill you in on the details.
- The more your child enjoys going to school, the more engaged he or she will be. Ask what would make the school experience more enjoyable, and see if there’s anything you can do to help.
Staying involved in your child’s schooling is important for every parent—talking with your daughter or son about school regularly is a great way to stay connected with your child and her or his school experience. Make it a point to talk about school often, no matter how old your children are.
Reprinted with permission from Search Institute®. Copyright © 2009 Search Institute, Minneapolis, MN; 800-888-7828; www.search-institute.org. All rights reserved.
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