As parents, you and the teachers share the responsibility of educating and nurturing your child not only with vital knowledge and skills, but also with positive attitudes and values. Effective collaboration between the school and the parent can help the child receive the maximum guidance and help he/she needs to navigate confidently through their school experience.
Have you received invitations to participate and volunteer in your child’s school/class activities and wonder how and what parents can volunteer in, that can best deliver benefits to your child? And how the manner of volunteering should change as your child grows up? Many schools have parent-volunteer projects with worthy goals. Volunteering your time and talents to support your child’s school, the teachers and the students of the school can be done in different ways, depending on the school context and your availability, preference and interest. These can include:
- Assisting with classroom and/or class-related activities and programmes;
- Volunteering your services for school events and functions;
- Providing your professional or personal expertise on school matters/programmes;
- Volunteering your time to attend to the welfare needs of students in the school;
- Networking with other parents through school-organised parent support platforms; and
- Getting involved in the school’s Parent Support Group.