5 Ways to Make Your Kids Valuable in Their School Community

Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end and the kids will soon be heading back to those brick buildings to learn their ABCs and 123s from their new teachers, who will no doubt have to go back to grading papers. There are so many subjects that require both the teacher and parents to help with. For example, asking for homework help java, for programming and learning computer language.

Whether it is your first time having kids go to school or you are a seasoned pro, now is the time to start getting the kids ready mentally to reintegrate back into their school community and be productive members.

5 Ways to Make Your Kids Valuable in Their School Community

Bring Extra Supplies—like it or not, there are kids who don’t get fancy new gear and supplies for back-to-school. They will wear last year’s backpacks and hand me down clothes. Try sending in some extra packages of pencils, crayons and markers so that the teacher can disperse them throughout the classroom to children in need. For us, this was as easy as going through our home and decluttering. We have found hundreds of unused pencils and will be purchasing a few packages of colouring supplies once they go on sale.

Donate Books—this summer, we have been reading and packing away the books that we have decidedly outgrown. Maybe there are books in your own home that would get some love and attention in the little libraries that are in the children’s classrooms. Those shelves that the teachers so lovingly fill with their own money but could surely get some help. Get your kids involved with the process and allow them to bring them in. Let them reap the rewards of giving and sharing. Teach them young.

Teach Them to Look for the Lonely—this is something I am adamant about. It is easy for most kids to just play together but there always seems to be a couple who slip through the cracks. Teach your children to look for THOSE kids at recess. The ones who are alone, who are new to the school, who maybe have different abilities—those are the ones who need the interaction. A note on this: at the end of last year the school had a spring fair. We went as a family and the whole time we had the teachers and parent volunteers coming to us saying how nice and helpful our oldest was. He never told us at home but at school he had been spending extra time with a student in his class that had been differently abled than the other students. When we later asked him why he did it he said “because you told me to look for the lonely”. All it takes is the right word from the right person, you are the right person.

Volunteer Their Time—throughout the year, my kid’s schools put together lots of opportunities for the kids to help out. Whether it is selling chocolates to fund new playground equipment, collecting gloves and hats for those in need, a food drive or as simple as spending a recess cleaning up the school yard with peers to keep their property clean allows them to be proud of their successes. Help them succeed, let them do the heavy lifting, and watch as your little guy or gal starts building on life skills early on.

Be the Solution—I can’t write all of this without touching on bullying. By teaching your kids that if they are not part of the solution they are part of the problem we can get them to stand up and fight for what is right. By starting young, we can stop the bullying culture in a school early, before it has an opportunity to really take root. Talk to them now and play out some hypothetical situations around bullying situations. Ask them how they would react and if it’s not the correct way teach them it. Let them know that they have your support to stick up to bullies. Teach them to be the solution.

It is truly the little lessons in life that will ensure our children grow up well and be shining examples to their peers. Let’s take the steps now so that we can play our part in a brighter tomorrow.

How do you encourage your kids to be productive members of their community?

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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