Parent Involvement
Why is parent involvement so important? Parents are the child’s first caregivers and teachers, the first adults to play a significant role in a child’s development and learning, The home is the first learning environment a child experiences. Today, when young children are also involved with many other caregivers – relatives, babysitters, home care providers and preschool teachers – often outside the home, it is critical for the adults in the home to communicate well with these other significant adults. Research findings have included the following as effects of parent involvement:
For children:
- Positive effects on academic performance
- Positive effects on self esteem and motivation to learn
- Smoother transitions from setting to setting
- Improved understanding of child development, parenting and education
- Better idea of how best to contribute time and effort to the setting
- Larger support network
- Greater understanding and more positive support from parents for policies, procedures and program activities
- More parents who volunteer to work with children in the setting
- Greater consistency across different care settings of teaching and care giving styles, behavioral expectations, daily routines.
PARENT PARTICIPATION POLICY: Abracadabra is proud of the close relationship between parents, teachers and children. In addition to serving on the Parent Advisory Board (PAB), there are many opportunities for parental involvement. Parents are encouraged to share their “specialties” with the children and can include such things as art, music, cooking, crafts or ethnic traditions. Parents help children and staff with yearly celebrations of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New year, Valentines Day and more! Parents also help with maintenance tasks around the school and on the playground.
Parents are occasionally asked to assist in the classroom, help on field trips or watch over the children at naptime (nap sit) so teachers can meet together as a group. Spending time with your child at preschool allows you to be part of their first school learning experience and observe them in relation to peers and teachers. Parents are always welcome in our classrooms.
Parents are encouraged to attend such events as the Pumpkin Patch field trip, the December Christmas play and the June graduation picnic. The children and staff work hard to prepare for these events and your presence is greatly appreciated.
PARENT ADVISORY BOARD: The Parent Advisory Board of Abracadabra (PAB) serves as a vehicle for communication between parents, staff and Commonwealth Baptist Church. The PAB consists of two co-chairs, a treasurer, and parent representatives. The PAB meets three or four times a year to discuss issues of general concern to the school, assist in the funding and planning of special events, and to learn more about the curriculum. The PAB is an advisory board, not a governing board. Parents are required to attend at least one meeting during the year, but are encouraged to attend all meetings. Childcare is provided by staff members during the meetings. The PAB conducts two or three fundraising efforts during the year and all families are required to participate. These activities help defray program costs.
PARENT CONFERENCES: Parent/teacher conferences are held twice during the year, in November and in April or May. One parent must attend, however attendance by both parents is preferable. Parents may request a conference with a teacher at any time.