The purpose of this blog post is to inform parents about the importance of their involvement in their children’s education, especially in the primary grades, as well as to encourage teachers to keep an open communication, supplying parents with progress reports and clear and accurate instructions to parents so they can help their children with academics at home.
Ask any kindergarten teacher about their most successful students, and odds are, a pattern emerges: behind every thriving child stands a parent who’s more than just present—they’re all in. I’ve seen the difference in real time, from the chatty three-year-old who recites bedtime stories by heart to the shy kindergartener who suddenly comes alive when Mom volunteers in the classroom. Let’s dive into why those small moments at home (and not just PTA meetings) shape everything about a child’s learning—and what happens when they don’t.
Beyond the Open House: What Parental Involvement Looks Like Before School Starts
1. Independence-Building: Teaching Preschoolers to Do for Themselves
One of the most important ways parents can support early childhood education is by teaching independence to preschoolers before they ever set foot in a classroom. Simple tasks—like letting your child dress themselves, eat on their own, or help with small chores—build self-efficacy and confidence.
These skills don’t just make mornings easier; they help children feel capable and ready to tackle new challenges at school. In my classroom, I see a clear difference in children who have practiced these routines at home—they’re more willing to try, less frustrated by setbacks, and quicker to adapt to school routines.
2. The Power of Speaking in Complete Sentences
Parent involvement in education starts with conversation. At home, speaking in full sentences and expecting your child to do the same lays the groundwork for strong language skills. When parents ask questions, make eye contact, and encourage their children to answer thoughtfully, they are preparing them for classroom discussions and learning standards.
Research shows that early childhood parent education programs, which train parents to use learning materials and engage in rich conversations at home, lead to significant improvements in reading and math test scores. The way you talk to your child truly shapes how they think and learn.
3. Meeting Basic Needs: The True Foundation of Academic Success
It’s easy to overlook, but making sure your child’s basic needs are met—food, shelter, clothing, and especially sleep—is the real foundation for learning.
Hungry or tired kids can’t focus, no matter how great the lesson is. Before school starts, establish routines that ensure your child gets enough rest and nutritious meals. This simple parent support at home sets the stage for academic success and positive behavior in the classroom.
4. The Transformative Power of Nightly Storytime
Those parents who made it a habit to read to her son every night before bed are incredible. By the time those children started kindergarten, their vocabulary is noticeably advanced. They can name colors, numbers, and objects around them with confidence.
Studies confirm that reading to your children since they are born has many advantages: parent involvement in reading activities improves reading achievement, language comprehension, and expressive language skills.
Just 15 minutes of storytime each night can make a world of difference.
Here are a few basics parents should work on before their children start school:
- Teach independence: dressing, eating, and chores
- Use and expect complete sentences in conversation
- Meet basic needs: food, sleep, shelter
- Read aloud nightly and talk about the story
These simple, everyday actions lay the groundwork for a child’s success in early childhood education and beyond.
The Surprising Reality of Helping With Homework at Home
When people talk about parent involvement in education, they often picture parents helping with homework at the kitchen table. In kindergarten, this help is both essential and—usually—manageable. Most kindergarten homework revolves around reading, like letter recognition, and math, like number recognition.
These simple tasks may not seem like much, but research shows that homework support from parents improves student performance and motivation, especially in the early years.
In my classroom, I see firsthand how nightly routines—like reading together or practicing high-frequency word cards—build a strong foundation for reading achievement impact.
For example, at the beginning of the year, I send home vowel cards and bubble maps; later, I also send take-home books. Parents who commit to these small daily rituals help their children make noticeable progress.
Even if parents don’t feel like a homework “expert,” asking about your child’s day, reading teacher newsletters, and following instructions from school make a huge difference.
To parents:
- Do all the homework, which is usually focused on reading and basic skills.
- Practice letter names, sounds, sight words, numbers, and shapes.
- Ask your child what they learned each day.
- Read teacher notes and newsletters to stay informed.
- If the teacher requests specific support at home, follow through.
Here’s what I recommend for homework to help in bilingual kindergarten:
- August and September: Parents can help children learn the vowels. I send vowel cards at home, as well as bubble maps with words that start with each vowel. I then send a letter home with instructions and an explanation of why this is important.
- October to December: I start sending home high-frequency word cards and syllable cards as we learn them.
- November to May: I start sending take-home books at the child’s reading level home to the parents who commit to taking care of the books and reading with their child.
- January to May: I send home a fluency page a week, which includes a page with a passage and comprehension questions to be read by the students and timed by the parent.
Why does this matter so much now? The early years are when children’s attitudes toward learning are formed. If parents show interest and positivity, children are more likely to enjoy school and behave well. On the other hand, an overcritical or disengaged parent can unintentionally hinder their child’s progress.
And let’s be honest: as children get older, homework help can become frustrating. I’m an engineer, yet when my own children hit high school math, I found myself struggling. I couldn’t help with calculus or advanced algebra without reviewing and relearning concepts I hadn’t touched in decades. This is a common experience—supporting a kindergartener feels doable, but high school can become a math minefield. Let’s help while we can.
Still, the investment parents make in the early years pays off. Children whose families read with them, practice skills, and support their learning at home consistently outperform their peers. Even if you’re not an expert, your involvement—especially with reading—creates a positive learning environment and sets your child up for lifelong success.
When Parents and Teachers Team Up: Communication that Changes Lives
In my years as a kindergarten teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how parent-teacher communication can truly change the course of a child’s education. When families and schools work together, the benefits go far beyond academics—children gain confidence, develop better social skills, and are more likely to succeed long-term. Research shows that students with highly involved parents are more likely to pursue higher education and have higher graduation rates. This is the real impact of family engagement benefits and strong parent involvement strategies.
Routine teacher-parent updates are more than just a formality. When I share progress reports or send home newsletters, I’m not just checking a box—I’m inviting parents into the learning process.
Unfortunately, some parents shy away from these updates, worried they might not understand the material or feel overwhelmed by their own school experiences. But these updates are meant to empower, not intimidate. They’re a bridge, connecting what happens in the classroom to what happens at home, and ensuring that everyone is working toward the same goal: academic performance improvement for every child.
I routinely assess my students and share my findings with parents, whether their child is behind, on track, or excelling. This information helps parents know exactly how to support their child, and it helps me tailor my teaching to each student’s needs.
In my experience, the children who soar are those whose parents invest time both before and after school starts. Those who struggle often lack that crucial support.
Teachers, don’t be afraid to communicate openly and often.
Parents, listen to your child’s teacher, respond to requests, and invest in your child’s growth.
When we team up, we don’t just improve academic performance—we change lives, opening doors to a brighter future for every child.
In conclusion: Parental involvement isn’t just about showing up—it’s the daily, behind-the-scenes efforts before and after school that set kids up for academic and personal success. Start early, stay engaged, and trust that every story you read and question you ask counts.
Let’s give you some resources:
For teachers:
FREE Spanish Letter for parents VOWELS (PDF)
FREE Spanish Letter for parents High Frequency Words and Syllables (PDF)
High Frequency Words in Spanish Cards
Monthly Spanish Fluency and Comprehension Pages
For parents: