Parenting
ArabBaba’s top tips on
increasing parental involvement
By Mostafa Hassan
great prices. As a result of this, our
children are exposed to technology a
lot earlier and are capable of using a
myriad of these technological devices.
Pick a device where you will support
your child. If it’s the laptop or an
e-book or online worksheets, choose
one device where you do things
together. When you decide the mode,
talk to his/her teacher about available
sites, apps or downloads that are
specifically available for your child.
Establish ‘Tech-Time’ at home
A
s parents, we send our children
off to school for at least 7 hours
a day in the trusted care of
educators, who we hope will
help to fill their minds with knowledge.
That knowledge, we hope, will allow
them to grow into successful and
capable adults.
But, how do we continue to cultivate
what was learnt during the school
day when they arrive home? How
can we engage with our children to
foster their educational growth using
ever-changing technology to support
them?
Below are 5 ways to boost your
parental involvement at home.
Show interest in their school
day
Whether both parents are working
or one is at home, it is critical that we
take a keen interest in our child’s day.
Ask your child questions, “What was
the most exciting thing you learned
today?” or “I’ve been waiting to hear
about what you were doing in Science”.
Keep the questions open-ended. Talk
to them in an informal but one-to-one
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environment (making dinner, tidying
up, taking the garbage out or going to
get tea). This isn’t about getting 10/10
on an assignment – this is about them
seeing you take interest in all that
concerns them.
Involve your child’s teacher
Talk to your child’s teacher about
the ways in which you can get more
involved. This can be done face-toface or via email. It could be by using
technology at home. Find out what
strengths or weaknesses your child
has and how you might be able to
use the methods suggested by the
teacher in helping him/her to improve
or develop. Their teacher is a great
resource for you to take advantage
of when helping your child at home.
Learn from the person who spends the
most time with your child outside of
the home.
Choose a device
In the past, many of us encountered
technology via the computer lab at the
end of the school passage. Today, there
are mobile phones, tablets, laptops
and desktops, that are available at
After The Bell
The use of technology should be
supplemental in a child’s learning
experience. Working on a device can
be much more exciting for children
than looking at a book or worksheets.
Create a Tech-Time timetable that
clearly states the days (Sundays and
Tuesdays) and duration (30 minutes)
to be spent with your child doing
online activities. Allow them to work
independently but ensure that you
monitor their progress. Let them show
you what they are working on. Many
online worksheets are available that
are outside of the curriculum that can
help you both - Think together!
Understand what’s out there
When you have talked to your child’s
teacher and decided on your device,
look at the available options that are
out there for you. Does your daughter
like Princesses and Disney? Have you
discussed with her teacher what she is
struggling to read? Disney Story Central
is a great app for kids to encourage
reading. They also earn trophies
and awards while she progresses.
Does your son like adventure but has
difficulty with sequencing or areas of
cognitive thinking? Check out Ansel
& Clairs Adventures for quests and
puzzles. Look at www.education.com
as well for some amazing worksheets
and online games.
Creating valuable and customized
experiences with your child can change
the way they view their education and
their bond with you. Become more
engaged!