If you volunteer to help at school has it helped you help your DCs at home?

[Kellamity]

I have a bit of spare time on my hands now that DD2 has settled in at nursery and I was wondering about doing some voluntary work. Locally I have found my options include Riding for the Disabled, befriending at the local homeless shelter or working at school.

I'm already a parent governor and the chair always says we should spend as much time as we can at school to our face known and get to know the teaching staff.

I suppose my ulterior motive is that DS (Y2) as a summer born child is struggling a bit and I wondered if helping at school would give me some ideas, motivations, experience to help him a little more at home.

I found it invaluable working in school. It made me realise how much the teachers actually do and that they do know our children and their abilities.

It also made me realise that I had many priorities wrong, and that I was too focused on "education" statistics, results, etc., rather than focussing on how children learn through play.

It helped me understand the reading programme, how maths is taught and how much work and effort is put in by the teachers.

It helped me realise that children need to learn at their own pace, rather than being pushed to go to far too soon.

It also made me realise how important the social skills of being in school really matter.

It also made me realise that children do learn at different paces, and it doesnt matter what group your child is in. The classes are organised so that each child works at their own ability that suits them.

I agree with all that Iamseeingstars says.

I have helped in dd1's class weekly since reception and she is now in Yr2. It has shown me the terminology they use in class - eg DH was talking about tens and units, dd1 was looking blank - when I said "Daddy means extras", "Oh!" lightbulb moment....

It has been really interesting to learn how a range of children learn and develop. I had always assumed that my child was "normal" so all "normal" children would learn similarly - not the case at all.

It gives me a real sense of satisfaction, to hear a child read fluently, who in reception was struggling with the most basic phonics sounds. Learning is not in a straight line - it has peaks and troughs and plateaus. Being able to apply this to my own dds' learning means I panic less if she's been on the same book band for a while or doesn't seem to understand something which I consider straightforward.

I know the teacher better so feel more comfortable in trusting her judgement as I have seen her in action and respect her professionally. I also feel more comfortable in discussing minor points with her as she seems more approachable to me because I know her better.

It is lovely to get to know the other children in your child's class. It can help when giving your own child pointers socially and it also helps you to explain any differences properly. Eg in reception dd had a friend who wore a hearing aid. When dd was talking about "the strange thing on x's head", I knew what she meant and could explain appropriately. ALso I think it helps dd that I am in her class regularly as all her friends know me and so are hapy to come back to our house for tea etc.

Thank you for your responses I think I will offer to help in DS's class, it sounds invaluable. Are you both volunteers or TAs?

I am a volunteer but have also done an online TA qualification. I haven't been able to get a job as a TA that doesn't include using either breakfast club or after-school club and my reception summer born dd2 just wouldn't cope with that at the moment, so I am in the process of registering as a childminder instead.

I didn't realise that Peace, yes in that case we are very lucky the schools are so keen for parents to be involved!

Ok letter going into DS's book bag tomorrow!!

I started out as a parent helper,through a WEA course, run at my children's school, called "Helping in Schools". I loved it so much I went on to train as a TA. It definitely makes you see school in a different light. I wish all parents could experience it, I think it would be a real eye-opener for some people.

I started as a parent helper, now a TA.

It's invaluable, really useful and rewarding.

I now work 5 mornings a week at a nearby school, but still tr to get into DCs school and help out 2 afternoons a month.

I started as a parent helper and am now a fulltime TA at ds's school.

You get to learn the terminology that school use, how the school is run, get to know the staff........tis great if you enjoy that sort of thing which I do.

Am on the PTA too which has gained me many many friends.

I have always helped out at pre school and school and was a teacher before kids. I think it's a fantastic opportunity if you have the chance. I too found it hugely rewarding and I think that education is always changing. A good teacher never thinks they know it all or so I was taught, so I really wanted to keep up to date, to support my own children.
One thing I will add is that I forgot to fully consider the implications for my children. The negatives are them thinking you are infringing on their territory. Other children saying unfair things, suggestions of favouritism. The positive, you get to see what they are doing, they may be happy you are there. 2 out of three of mine were happy, the other put up with it and I tried to avoid him and not draw attention to our relationship, which he totally respected. I left him alone, didn't interfere but supported him at home. I think you will enjoy it and who knows may end up with a permanent position, if you wanted one.

I've loved being a volunteer in my DS's reception class for all reasons mentioned above. It's great getting to know the other kids, becoming someone they recognise; it tickles my DS to see me there & I'm fairly sure it helps him socially as well (at least until I start being dreadfully embarrassing, of course; then I might tactfully shift to a different class . .). I get a feel for the classroom dynamic and sense of how the very-different kids from the diversest backgrounds find different things easy & difficult. And seeing them improve spectacularly (not just thanks to me, but even so) over the course of a few weeks is the best! It is wonderful to feel engaged, not just with my own DS, but with his whole class, or at least a sizeable chunk of it.

My Ds's school encourage helpers but do not allow parents to help in the class their children are in.

This sounds like a good idea and is something I would like to do.

In a word: yes :)

It also made me even happier about the school being the best place for my DCs.

Yes, I agree. I help one afternoon a week, and it is actually my favourite time of the week. I help with admin stuff, but do see most of the classes. I love the fact you feel part of the school.

I help a lot and I really enjoy it. My children prefer me not in their class though.