10 Things You Can Do With Your School to Promote Learning from the National PTA Magazine

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Develops Key Skills
The concept of social and emotional learning (SEL) has been linked to higher student achievement, according to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). The March 17 PTA Parent http://www.pta.org/2820.htm examined what parents can do at home to foster SEL. This edition looks at 10 things parents can do with the school to aid in their children’s social and emotional learning.
Focus on the value of learning. Take some time each day to ask what your child learned in school. Don’t focus just on math, English, and social studies. Ask how your child gets along with other students and how he or she feels about school.
Focus on creating a positive learning environment at home. Create regular homework times and provide a quiet, well-lit place for homework. Limit the amount of TV. Decide with your child about rules for dealing with interruptions such as phone calls or visitors.
Set up a school bulletin board at home. Display the school calendar and other fliers from the school. Decide as a family which school events you will attend. Help your child get involved in interesting and worthwhile school activities.
Listen when your child talks about school. Pay attention to what your child says about school. If your child is happy with his or her classroom and school activities, write or call the teacher to say thank you. If your child seems frustrated, bored, or lonely at school, call a teacher or counselor to see what can be done.
Help your child with homework. Don’t ever do homework for your child. But do help. Assist your child in setting priorities for schoolwork. For example, encourage your child to tackle difficult assignments first while he or she has the most energy.
Take advantage of school meetings. Finding the time to attend school meetings can be a challenge. Many schools offer alternative times and places for parents to ask questions and discuss solutions to common problems. Often these meetings provide child care.
Volunteer at school. By volunteering in the classroom, you can better understand how to support your child’s learning at home. Try being a room parent, a chaperone at school functions, or a tutor. Even parents who work full-time can create opportunities if they do not exist.
Attend school activities. Whenever possible, attend your child’s plays, sports events, or science fairs. Your presence shows that your child’s interests and work are important to you.
Join or create a “Social and Emotional Learning Book Club.” In some communities parents have created book clubs to learn how they can encourage their children’s social and emotional development. This could be part of your PTA. It could also be something you do with friends.
Encourage good communication with the school. Good communication is basic to supporting your child’s education. Ask your child’s teacher to provide suggested home activities to support skills the children are learning at school. Ask for homework assignments that directly involve parents.
For more information, go to casel.org.