Role of parents

As a parent, there are bound to be times when you feel you have to combat the influences surrounding your children. But you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it’s you that anchors your children: you are role models and educators of primary importance. However, this is a responsibility that is not always easy to assume.

You probably had the best attitude when your children were first learning to walk. You congratulated them on each small step, encouraged them to take another, and accepted that they’ll fall and get up again. As your teenage child continues learning today, and takes some tumbles, try to adopt that same spirit of wonder that you once had.

Learning a tip or two, or reminding yourself how important your role is, can give you a boost or stimulate new thinking.

Sometimes you need to go a step further and consult a professional. Accepting help is good for young people, and it's also good for the parents.

Three golden rules for parents concerned about their children’s academic success:

1. Encourage your children to persevere and praise their efforts.
2. Take an organized approach to work in the home by setting a regular schedule.
3. Contact your child’s teacher in case of difficulty.

Sources: Crevale, Comité régionale pour la valorisation de l’éducation

From birth to kindergarten: the role of parents in preventing dropout

Academic persistence begins in infancy. Parents can contribute in various ways, including:

• stimulating the child’s development in, for example, language learning;
• reading to children before they start school;
• encouraging frequent contact with other children;
• giving the child attention (socialization).

In elementary school: the role of parents in preventing dropout

To encourage persistence while the child is in elementary school, parents can:

• be interested in what the child is learning;
• establish a routine and good discipline;
• ensure that homework is being done;
• provide support in the child’s homework and lessons, without doing it for her/him or trying to be another teacher;
• give encouragement;
• develop the child’s self-reliance and organizational sense;
• give the child exposure to the working world, talk about your own work, bring him/her to your place of work;
• establish frank and open communication with her/him;
• collaborate with the teacher, attend meetings and participate in the life of the school;
• speak highly of the school.

In high school: the role of parents in preventing dropout

Parents play a crucial role in the educational persistence of their children during the high school years. They must, in particular:

• continue to show an interest in what the young person is learning;
• encourage him/her, particularly if difficulties arise in learning or relationships with friends or teachers;
• do not hesitate to congratulate the child on successes and improvements;
• ensure that he/she doesn’t miss any classes;
• encourage the child to participate in extracurricular activities;
• maintain an open dialogue and speak about projects, school, social relationships, sexuality or drugs;
• help the child to better know herself/himself and plan a future project; talk about his/her ambitions, strengths and weaknesses and guide him/her in career choices;
• be positive about the child’s current passions and supportive in his/her quest for independence and new experiences;
• encourage the child to take responsibility for her/his choices and future;
• help him/her to balance studies and work, if in part-time employment, particularly in seeing that the number of work hours does not adversely affect school studies;
• place a high value on education and training, since acquiring a diploma is becoming increasingly important in qualifying for a job.

In CEGEP and university: the role of parents in preventing dropout

Even at the college or university level, parents have a role to play in school persistence. They can:

• support the young person in his/her specialization, career choices and aspirations;
• continue to encourage her/him;
• maintain open communications;
• learn to respond to the various needs of the young person without “living in his/her pocket.”

Sources : Conseil régional de prévention de l’abandon scolaire (CRÉPAS)