Parents are the first educators of the child. From infancy the child is learning by observation and later by almost ceaseless questioning. The parent who responds is giving the child the ideal preparation for its schooldays. With the help of the parents, the child learns how to relate to other children, usually within the family, and thus transition from home to college can be a happy and exciting new experience.
Formal education will occupy the child until its late teens but it must be remembered that the college is acting in loco parentis only. Ideally there should be cooperation and consultation between parents and teachers. In this way, any difficulties which arise can be resolved in the early Make a point of checking homework from time to time. You need not be an expert to check neatness, method and so on.
(iii) ‑Help them to choose the subjects which suit them best when they have a choice to make—they may have a particular career in mind—before they commit themselves at senior level.
(iv) ‑Encourage them to participate in extra-curricular college activities, for example, debates, games, drama, educational outings, etc.
In the post primary sector, parents are aware that enormous changes have taken place in the curriculum since their own college days. They know that their children are studying some subjects that were not taught in the past and that the method of studying some subjects has altered radically, e.g. Mathematics. This must not discourage the parents from involving themselves in the student’s progress.
The parents’ interest and encouragement will be of immense help and can be shown in some of the following ways:
‑ Discuss school work with students. If they are having difficulties, you may be able to help sort them out, even if a visit to the college is necessary. You will be welcome.