Every parent wants their child to succeed in school and also develop a life long passion for learning. Most parents also are willing to spend time working with their child to help develop these positive attitudes, however sometimes messages become mixed despite the best intentions of the parents. Typically these issues come up when the parents or family may not be in complete agreement with what is going on at the school; information reported to the parents by the child about the school seems incorrect or wrong; or some type of miscommunication about what the teacher said, implied or indicated to the student.

Thankfully parents have the option of speaking directly to the school to attempt to resolve these issues. Usually a polite and timely phone call directly to the teacher can clarify the issue, however if the teacher doesn't respond or there is further concern, talking to the school administrator would be the next step. During this process it is important to avoid having any of these discussions in front of or within hearing distance of the child; rather the parents and the school need to both provide a supportive and positive attitude for the child. This helps kids focus on the day to day learning and avoids putting them in the middle of any misunderstanding or miscommunication that may have occurred.

Parents can also be actively involved in their child's education as a way to reinforce the value of the learning experience. Parent volunteers are a great asset in any classroom and are always needed for special events, field trips and outings. Parents that spend time working in the school also meet their children's friends, other parents in the community as well as the staff and administration of the school. Younger kids love to have Mom or Dad at school, just be sure to talk to your child ahead of time and let them know that you won't be able to spend time only with them while you are volunteering.

Working parents may not be able to get away during the business day to attend school events; however they can still participate through assisting with homework and checking in with the child about school events and classes. Most kids are rather hesitant to talk about school, especially as they progress up through the grades, so starting early with a friendly, fun and positive discussion about school every night is a great routine to start. Focus on what the child is enjoying and why, not just on areas where the child may be struggling. Assisting with and checking homework is also a great way to keep track of your child's learning. Keep in mind that teaching alternative learning methods may not be helpful, rather try to be consistent with the method that the child is explaining and using. If you have other methods, check in with the teacher and understand how they could be incorporated to help your child learn the subject matter.