Parents are not only a child's first teacher, we are also their most important advocates. It’s important that parents take a leadership role and set goals for their child's education. Talk to your children often about the purpose of education, why it's important and what your expectations are.
Help them to understand how their education will develop their talents and prepare them to be productive members of the African American community and broader society. Begin to introduce the concept of entrepreneurship and careers. Explaining the "why" will provide context for what your children are learning and will help them understand and be more actively involved in their educational Journey. So when should parents start thinking about their children's education? Experts agree that starting your children's education early is critical.
According to research from The Bridgespan Group:
Help them to understand how their education will develop their talents and prepare them to be productive members of the African American community and broader society. Begin to introduce the concept of entrepreneurship and careers. Explaining the "why" will provide context for what your children are learning and will help them understand and be more actively involved in their educational Journey. So when should parents start thinking about their children's education? Experts agree that starting your children's education early is critical.
According to research from The Bridgespan Group:
"The largest opportunities to improve the trajectory of a child’s life happen during pregnancy and the earliest years of life, and continue through age five. Much of the critical development occurs before children enter the formal education system at kindergarten." (Pritzker et al., 2015)
Building reading skills is one of the key components of early childhood education. Children who excel at reading and develop a love for books tend to outperform their peers academically. It's never too early to start reading and talking to your children. Parents can begin helping their children with language skills by talking to them about what tasks they are doing or naming and describing objects. Setting up regularly scheduled reading time is a great way to bond with your child and help them develop literacy skills and a love of reading.
As your child reaches preschool or kindergarten age the formal school system will begin to play a major role in your children's education, but it shouldn't be their only source of learning. There are many learning resources available online for purchase and for free that can help parents augment their child's learning. Resources range from worksheets to full curriculum. The number of parents who home school their children has risen significantly in recent years. There are many African American homeschool groups that offer advice and free learning materials. Non profit organizations like Khan Academy also provide free online curriculum and learning resources.
Academic Summer camps and weekend workshops are also great ways to boost your child's learning and expose them to new academic and career fields. Local universities and colleges often offer free programs for young students. Your local National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter may also offer programs and tutoring.
It's also important to work collaboratively with your child's teachers as you develop your plans and goals. Be sure to understand what's being taught at school so that you can effectively reinforce whats being learned and also fill in gaps if there are topics or experiences not being provided at school. Talk to your children daily about their experience at school and help them with their homework. If necessary, there are tutors, learning centers and free resources available for support.
Key Takeaways
As your child reaches preschool or kindergarten age the formal school system will begin to play a major role in your children's education, but it shouldn't be their only source of learning. There are many learning resources available online for purchase and for free that can help parents augment their child's learning. Resources range from worksheets to full curriculum. The number of parents who home school their children has risen significantly in recent years. There are many African American homeschool groups that offer advice and free learning materials. Non profit organizations like Khan Academy also provide free online curriculum and learning resources.
Academic Summer camps and weekend workshops are also great ways to boost your child's learning and expose them to new academic and career fields. Local universities and colleges often offer free programs for young students. Your local National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter may also offer programs and tutoring.
It's also important to work collaboratively with your child's teachers as you develop your plans and goals. Be sure to understand what's being taught at school so that you can effectively reinforce whats being learned and also fill in gaps if there are topics or experiences not being provided at school. Talk to your children daily about their experience at school and help them with their homework. If necessary, there are tutors, learning centers and free resources available for support.
Key Takeaways
- Develop a plan and goals for your children's education and discuss it with them regularly
- Read to your children early and often
- Provide supplemental learning resources
- Seek out academic camps, after school programs and online courses to broaden your child's learning experience
- Talk to your children daily about school and assist them with their homework
References
Pritzker, J.B, Bradach, J.L, & Kaufmann, K. (2015). Achieving kindergarten readiness for all our children: A funder’s guide to early childhood development from birth to five. The Bridgespan Group. https://www.bridgespan.org/bridgespan/Images/articles/achieving-kindergarten-readiness/early-childhood-funder-guide-2015.pdf
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information!
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