Do you love or hate parent helpers?

[Jessturnerbabyblues]

I teach year 3. When I go back after Easter I have a parent coming in to help every Wednesday. What has your experiences been like ? What role do they play? and do you love or hate having a parent helper?

I’m surprised they are even still a ‘thing’, I thought that it was only TAs these days, or at least in year 3 and above due to safeguarding.

I think it depends hugely on what their motivation is and also their capabilities. I haven't had one as such for a whole day but have had parent volunteers come in for the odd lesson. One was clearly there to check out the school. She did not smile once and did not try to be helpful at all. She looked more like an ofsted inspector than a helper! She only stayed for a few weeks and then made an excuse and stopped coming. I think it could work well but I would be very clear about what she can do to help. I would show her where everything is and give her a clear list of jobs and a timetable for the day of what she should be doing at least until you get to know her. There is undoubtedly lots of classroom tidying, display, filing and photocopying that she could help with. I would also be asking her to listen to children read. It could be incredibly helpful but I would be trying to establish what her reasons for doing it are as that will help you figure out whether the idea will work. I am also assuming she doesn't have her child in your class because that is a definite no no.

@cansu

I should have been clearer, it is just for the afternoon. No she doesn't have a child in my class.

Then that should be great. I would spend a bit of time making her a list of what needs doing and enjoy. Personally, I would be
showing her my filing system and getting her to put away all the stuff I have been using
asking her to restock stationery
backing and putting up a display
tidying up books
cleaning mini whiteboards
printing out materials that I need and copying them

Of course if you are doing something messy where it would be useful for her to sit with and help a child then go for that. However I would probably start with organising kind of work and see how things go.

I am a parent helper in the reception class at my son's school. I do it because I genuinely love working with children and had a couple of mornings a week to spare. My class teacher tells me that I'm very helpful, like having another ta. I generally just float about helping the kids with whatever work they're doing. I do know she has another parent helper who isn't very helpful, although I'm not sure how. I have a long background working with kids which helps I guess. I think it could end up being good or awful I suppose, but hopefully you'll get someone good who's willing to learn!!

I've been a parent helper. I did exactly what the teacher told me!
Mostly listening to reading 1:1 and asking the kids about the books to check their comprehension. Sometimes doing guided reading (reading in groups).
It was a lot of fun and i learnt to have a lot more confidence reading with my own son.

Is she coming in for work experience?
But why is this in AIBU, chat maybe or the teacher's lounge?

I'm a teacher and it depends massively on the parent.

I've had some absolutely fantastic volunteers and parent helpers, who have been just as good as a TA and their assistance was invaluable.

I've also had some that were more hindrance than help, some who believed that they could undermine me in my classroom, some who couldn't spell or use correct grammar and would attempt to correct children's work that was actually fine and the worst one, that despite her complete lack of teaching qualifications, would consistently suggest that the children would learn something better if I did it the way she would.

That was very frustrating.

I am also a parent helper and have been helping for over 8 years. I listen to children read, check comprehension, and do guided reading. I also help eal students with phonics.
My dd is 12 and I did help with her class when she was in year one, but did not work with her. I love seeing the huge progress kids can make in years one and two.

@anxious2017.

Let's hope she is a good one. I will not stand being undermined, what I say goes.

Most are fantastic and are willing to help in any way they can. I had one lovely Mum many years ago who did all my weekly photocopying!! Most parents are happy to hear readers, work with small groups etc, and some extra grown up support can be really helpful. I'm not sure I would manage to hear all my class read plus help then change their reading books without parent helpers.

However it does depend on the parent and their motivation. One recent parent helper refused to do anything like photocopying, cutting out, stapling etc as she basically just wanted to follow her DC around, interfere and watch me like a hawk. Not very helpful at all. Luckily she got a job so stopped coming.

I have been a parent helper for some time now. This has mainly involved reading activities, 1:1 and guided group sessions. I have also helped with PE & Art class activities and have taken groups for cookery classes which we had a weekly group rota for. I have found that some teachers have been more positive and amenable to having help, than others. And this can make a huge difference to how effective your input can be. Far better to start with a positive mindset as to how they can help, rather than how they might hinder!
Hope it all goes well

Oh I didn't stand for it

I agree though, a lot of teachers I've worked with hate even the idea of having parent helpers. I don't judge until I've actually worked with them. I love having decent help!

@anxious2017

Me too. How did she undermine you?

I went into school to help when my youngest went to Playgroup. Just one morning a week then.

20 years later I'm still helping a few days a week. I do anything I'm asked to do, I take groups to give them extra help with English or Maths, or do painting, craft, take down the stuff off walls, photocopy, bake, make soup, make fruit smoothies, read stories, you name it, I've done it.

I've never interfered or given my opinion on how she teaches, that's certainly not why I'm there. I just enjoy my time in class.

Love them. I was amazed when I got a new job at a school several years ago, and the vast majority of teachers wouldn't have them near the classroom! .

As long as you know what their capabilities are (and I had a lovely, lovely Mum help me for a couple of years in my first school, who really struggled with literacy), then, as long as they are reliable and turn up when expected, they are invaluable.