What Do Parents Expect of Their Child in School
Parents have high hopes and expectations for their children when it comes to school and education. As a child’s first teacher, parents play a vital role in supporting their development and working with schools to help set them up for success.
This article explores some of the common academic, behavioral, and social expectations that parents often have for their kids.
Academic Performance
One of the primary expectations most parents have is for their child to perform well academically. This includes:
Attendance and Participation
Parents expect their children to attend school regularly and arrive on time. Consistent attendance and active participation in class are essential for academic growth.
Effort and Motivation
Rather than demanding perfect grades, most parents want to see their child putting forth their best effort. This means staying focused, being engaged in class, completing assignments, and studying adequately for tests. Parents hope to nurture internal motivation so their child takes ownership of their learning.
Mastery of Subjects
While every child learns at their own pace, parents hope to see steady progress in reading, writing, math, science, and other core subjects. They expect appropriate mastery based on their child’s abilities and grade level.
Preparation for Higher Education
Many parents have college expectations for their child. They emphasize the importance of working hard and developing strong study habits. Good grades and well-rounded involvement can lead to more college options down the road.
Behavior and Conduct
In addition to academic performance, parents expect their child to behave appropriately at school. This means:
Following School Rules
Parents make sure their child understands all school policies and classroom rules. They expect compliance and generally support disciplinary measures if rules are broken.
Treating Others With Respect
From peers to teachers to staff, parents want their child to interact politely and respectfully with everyone at school. They emphasize the importance of kindness, inclusion, and perspective-taking.
Demonstrating Responsibility
Whether it’s having necessary supplies, turning in homework, or cleaning up after themselves, parents expect their kids to handle common school responsibilities. They see these behaviors as indicative of their child’s growing maturity.
Making Good Choices
Parents hope their child can make smart, safe choices at school – like resolving conflicts peacefully, saying no to peer pressure, or asking for help when needed. They aim to equip their child to navigate challenging social situations.
Extracurricular Involvement
In line with having well-rounded kids, most parents encourage at least some extracurricular participation. This could include:
Sports and Physical Activities
Many parents promote sports, dance, martial arts, or other physical pursuits to keep their child active and healthy. These activities also build teamwork, discipline, and commitment.
Clubs and Special Interests
From chess club to theater, parents often connect their child with activities they feel passionate about. This allows them to pursue hobbies and make friends with similar interests.
Community Service and Leadership
Some parents get their child involved in volunteering, mentoring programs, student council, or other service initiatives. These inspire a spirit of altruism and cultivate leadership abilities.
What Parents Can Do
While parents expect a lot, there are proactive steps they can take to support their child meeting key milestones:
- Maintain open communication with teachers and schools
- Help establish structured routines and study habits
- Provide encouragement through successes and challenges
- Model positive attitudes about education and behavior
- Connect appropriate academic support and resources when needed
- Celebrate growth and Effort, not just achievement
With teamwork between parents and schools, children are set up to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.