Many families provide the love and nurture their children, but for a myriad of reasons they are unable to provide academic support.
Why does this happen? And, is it necessary for families to provide academic support?
I can think of many reasons why academic support at home does not exist including the following:
- very busy families
- families who are uncomfortable or not confident about academic matters
- families who don't understand academic expectations
- students who have had enough academics by the time they reach home
- students who are difficult to help for a large number of reasons
- busy after-school schedules and attendance at enrichment events
- family illness and extended family care issues
- tired children
- late pick-up
- need for family time
- the feeling that home is not the place for academics
- language barriers
Yet, it's often the case that children without at-home academic support don't advance in the same ways that their peers with that support advance.
What can we do for children without academic support?
- provide that "at-home academic support" during school hours with skilled staff
- coach and support families in ways that are helpful
- provide at-home tools for learning
- craft assignments that are so enticing that a child is highly motivated to work on those efforts at home
- provide home study that's independent and accessible
- establish strong home-school relationships beginning at the start of the school year
- have a point person at school that communicates with family members
- provide after school programming, support, and connections for the child
- establish wonderful summer camp and adventurous learning for vacations
Students without at-home academic support often have lots of love and life at home. They have families who want the best for them, but often they can't provide that academic support for a large number of reasons.
I'm just starting to think about this topic more deeply after a thoughtful PLC meeting this morning. I'm open to your thoughts and ideas with regard to this topic. I look forward to the share.
