Do your homework for the family's sake; Teaching children does not

BEING a parent isn't an easy task. We have all felt the pressure at some stage of our role as unpaid cleaners, drivers, and general entertainers to our children.

One of our most important jobs as a parent is that of educating our children. What our children learn at home stays with them throughout their lives.

While the role of teachers in schools is important in educating children, parents play a crucial part in teaching children and young people.

Fifty per cent of mental development takes place in the first four years of life, while 90 per cent of brain growth occurs by the age of three.

These figures show clearly that parents have a huge part to play in encouraging and helping children learn before they even reach school age.

The role of parents at this early stage of development is vital.

Admittedly, it is often difficult for parents to know how best to teach and encourage young children.

As with most things there are now even web sites giving advice to parents who want to help their children's education.

Websites ranging from "books every child should read" to "links of interest to parents" give advice to parents on issues relating to their child's education.

I believe that parents can best help their children at this early stage by investing their time in them.

Taking the time to answer their questions; taking the time to talk to them; taking the time to read to them will stimulate inquisitive minds and encourage educational growth.

This year, as part of the government's reading initiative, we are distributing five simple books to every newborn baby to encourage parents to read to their children.

I recognise that this is not always easy. In today's busy lifestyle, where both parents are working, people often have less time to spend with their children at home.

It is important that whatever time we do have, we spend wisely, listening and talking to even the youngest of children.

I have no doubt that this will make a huge difference to their future well-being. It will be time well spent. It will be energy well expended.

Yet the role of parents as teachers doesn't end when children reach school age.

In recognition of this, I recently launched guidelines for parents entitled "Primary School Curriculum, Your Child's Learning".

The guidelines, developed by the National Council for the Curriculum and Assessment for my Department, acknowledge the role which parents play in the education of their children.

They are designed to compliment the Primary School Curriculum and provide parents with information on the curriculum. Further, they outline in practical terms how parents can support their child's learning both at home and at school.

The guidelines recognise that children are constantly learning, whether at home or in school.

More importantly they take account of the fact that parents have a powerful influence on their children's development.

Recent research has shown a strong connection between success in school and the type of support parents give to their children.

Being aware of what children are doing at school, helping with homework, and building self esteem by encouraging and supporting them in their learning will all have a significant effect on children's learning.

Simply asking: "What did you do in school today?" can make a huge difference.

Furthermore, this booklet presents an opportunity for schools to communicate with parents and to engage them in supporting children's learning at home and in school.

More and more parents are now becomeing involved in a partnership process with schools and their involvement is extremely important.

Do phaiste ag foghlaim/Your Child's Learning has been developed for two audiences, with the Irish version targeting parents for whom Irish is the first language of the home.

Under each of the six curriculum areas, which include Language, Maths, Arts and PE, the guidelines suggest ways in which parents can support children's learning.

The rationale for many of the suggestions in the guidelines is simple: when the child is directly involved in the learning process, he or she gains ownership of what is learned.

However, the guidelines go further than simply providing information.

They recognise the role parents play in giving children a love of learning.

They place emphasis on learning from the earliest years. And they encourage parents to find opportunities for learning by taking advantage of normal everyday events that take place in the home.

A copy of these guidelines has been sent to the parents of all primary school children in the country. I have no doubt that they will prove beneficial.

The poem "Children Learn What They Live" sums up well the importance of teaching and encouraging our children and young people within our homes.

"If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate. If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world."

Teaching our children does not begin and end in our schools. It begins in our homes and it should never end.

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