10 Simple Tips to Share with Parents to Ensure Elementary School Success

As a first-grade teacher, you understand the importance of building positive home-school connections. Parents are the number one influence on their children’s education, and by working with them, you can create a supportive and enriching environment for our young learners. Share these ten simple tips with parents to ensure elementary school success! 

Why Invest in Building Positive Home-School Connections

The Education Hub reports research that indicates that a positive home-school connection sets students up for academic and social success. Students who have parents who are involved and active participants in their education are:

• More likely to have better attendance
• Less likely to have behavioral problems
• More engaged in their learning
• Academically more successful
• More socially engaged with other students and teachers

Positive home-school connections include a genuine two-way system of support through genuine collaboration of both sides. 

Tips for Elementary School Success

You can start creating this partnership by sharing helpful tips about elementary school success at the beginning of the school year:

1. Establish a Consistent Routine

First, encourage parents to establish a consistent daily routine for their child. This routine should include set times for homework, meals, and bedtime. A stable schedule helps children feel secure and ready to learn. 

By following a consistent routine throughout the week, parents can create a structured environment that supports their child’s academic success throughout elementary school and beyond.

2. Create a Dedicated Study Space

Next, suggest parents set up a quiet and distraction-free area for their child to do their homework and study. 

A designated study space helps foster focus and productivity. This space may be a desk in the family office or the child’s room but can also be a specific spot at the kitchen table while younger siblings play in another room until homework time is complete. 

It doesn’t need to be elaborate— just a space to let children know learning is important and worth investing in!

3. Stay Involved in School Activities

Encourage parents to actively participate in school activities too! 

These events might include:

• Field day
• Trunk-or-treat
• Parent-teacher meetings
• Special classroom projects
• Guest read-aloud opportunities
• PTA/PTO

By staying involved, parents show their children that they value their education and support their academic success. Attending these activities also provides parents with the opportunity to connect with teachers and other parents, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

4. Encourage Reading at Home

Reading is next! 

Promote a love for reading by suggesting parents provide a variety of books at home. Regular reading enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic performance. Encourage parents to set aside time each day for reading and to engage in discussions about the books their child is reading. 

5. Communicate Regularly with Teachers

It’s also important to maintain open lines of communication with your students’ parents. On the same note, encourage them to communicate regularly with you too! 

This consistent communication allows parents to stay informed about their child’s progress and any areas needing attention. By fostering a strong partnership with parents, you can work as a team to support the child’s academic and social-emotional growth.

6. Set Realistic Academic Goals

Next, encourage parents to set achievable academic goals with their children. 

Celebrating small successes along the way can boost their child’s confidence and motivation. Encourage parents to break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, allowing their children to experience a sense of accomplishment as they progress. 

By setting realistic goals, parents can empower their children to take ownership of their learning journey!

7. Provide Nutritious Meals and Snacks

Emphasize the importance of a balanced diet in supporting concentration and energy levels. Encourage parents to ensure their child eats a variety of fruits, protein, vegetables, and whole grains. 

By providing nutritious meals and snacks, parents can fuel their child’s brain and body. This helps set them up for success in the classroom!

8. Encourage Extracurricular Activities

Also, highlight the benefits of extracurricular activities. Research has found that students who participate in extracurricular activities develop more well-rounded skills and provide a healthy outlet for stress. 

Encourage parents to support their child’s specific interests— whether they are in sports, arts, or other hobbies. By participating in extracurricular activities, children can develop necessary social skills, build confidence, and discover new passions that will help them achieve elementary school success!

9. Monitor Screen Time

Remind parents of the importance of limiting their child’s screen time and encouraging offline activities like outdoor play, creative projects, and family bonding time. Excessive screen time can have negative impacts on a child’s:

• Sleep
• Focus
• Mood
• Grades
• Physical activity

Encourage parents to set boundaries like turning off screens 30-60 minutes before bedtime and use parental controls to ensure digital safety. 

*Parents can read more about screentime guidelines from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 

10. Promote a Positive Attitude Towards Learning

Encourage parents to foster a positive attitude towards learning by praising effort over results and showing enthusiasm for education. 

Remind them that a positive mindset helps children overcome challenges and develop a lifelong love for learning. Encourage parents to celebrate their child’s achievements— no matter how small— and to provide encouragement and support during hard times.

By following these ten tips, parents can play an active role in ensuring their child’s elementary school success. Remember, parents are their child’s number one influence, and by building positive home-school connections, you can create a strong foundation for their educational journey. You CAN empower parents to believe in their ability to make a difference and support their child’s success every step of the way!

Let me know if you have any questions about anything you see here. Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!

Other posts you may enjoy:

3 EASY Ways to Partner with Families to Teach Personal Space to Students

Separation Anxiety in Children: 8 PROVEN Strategies for Smooth Transitions

Top 7 Successful Ways To Make Students and Families Feel Welcome This School Year

Diane Romo

Thank you for being here! I love sharing ideas with other teachers! If you are looking to enhance your teaching and build a positive classroom community, you have come to the right place!

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