Parents as Learning Leaders: Beyond the Parent-Teacher Conference
During the pandemic, parents became learning leaders for their children. Under the most uncomfortable of circumstances, there was no other option.
They suddenly found themselves in the "parents as teachers" role. Parents became the day-to-day cheerleader, organizer, and facilitator. The gate-keeper to whether children showed up and did the work that day.
It was hard. Exhausting.
Parents were not equipped for this - to no fault of their own.
This time-period was challenging. Yet it highlighted some important information as we move into a new era of learning.
Parents want to be involved, to understand what is going on in their child’s educational journey. They want to know how they, as parents, can best support their child’s learning. Teachers want that support, too. Especially after the past couple of very messy years.
But there is a disconnect. A feeling that if you aren’t a certified teacher, you can’t do much other than ensure homework is completed each night.
Well, that’s not true. You are a parent, the primary caregiver. You know your child better than anyone - and when you tap into that knowledge, you can do so much to support your child’s growth and development.
Education can and should be less of a transaction between home and school. Less “handing over” the child to the teacher for the day’s dose of knowledge, to be returned at the end of the day for soccer, dinner, and bed.
Education should be more of a co-adopted process. The learning that is happening at school is supported at home, and vice-versa.
Today, parents are taking reins on that role as a learning leader for the child. A learning leader that is not taking over the role of the teacher, but they are acting as a true compliment to the teacher.
We know why parent partnerships are important. Check out this blog post for more on this topic.
But how can we ACTUALLY become a learning leader for our children? Parents are busy - we have work, activities, chores, dinners, holidays, more activities…the list doesn’t end.
Do we really need to add anything else?
What we need is a framework. Something to clear the noise in our heads when it comes to our child, their development, and their needs. This is a two step process! I actually use this process when working with parents on an individualized basis. YOU can do it, too!
Step One: Child Snapshot
The first step in the process is to simply assess where your child is today. I call this a “Child Snapshot.” You want to benchmark where they are now, so you can help shape the direction they are going in.
This snapshot will give you a truer sense of your child’s learning preferences, learning style, and learning needs.
When creating this snapshot, take notes on a couple of things:
Strengths & interests: Learning and non-learning related
Challenges & dislikes: Learning and non-learning related
What’s working?
What’s not working?
Notes and important information from the school/teacher
Step Two: Action Plan
Use the information you assembled in step one to think about patterns. What priorities stick out to you? How can you combine strengths and interests, with an area of need, to make a simple plan that will support learning in that area?
By being intentional about this process, you set yourself up for success. You can accomplish much more in little pockets of time.
Often, 5 minutes a day is all it takes.
You can think about your week, and find pockets of time that you can layer in appropriate and fun activities that play to your child’s interests, while developing skills that need some more attention.
Can you find a way to do this each day?
When you sit down to think about your plan with a goal in mind, you won’t get lost in the tangled webs of Pinterest or Google. You can type in what you want, find it, and leave.
As parents, we often show up to parent teacher conferences and receive information. Maybe there is a minute or two to ask a question.
Instead, go equipped with your own thoughts and assessment of where your child is. This puts you are in a better position to receive information, advocate, and move forward as a team.
Teachers are vital and irreplaceable. They take on countless roles, each and everyday, for many (many) children.
As a teacher, it was very helpful when parents came to a parent-teacher conference ready to chip in at home to nurture their child’s development. In this way, we co-adopted the educational process. It felt like less of a transaction, more of a true partnership designed to help children succeed.
Does this sound intriguing to you? Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Looking to become a stronger parent learning advocate but want more support?
