One of the most significant milestones in a child’s life is starting school. If your little one is going to preschool or kindergarten for the first time, or even changing grades, it will have an impact on how they learn, grow, and connect with others. More than just academics, school culture — which includes its atmosphere, values, and sense of community — plays a vital role in your child’s success and happiness.
So, how can you, as a parent, help to build and support a positive school culture for your child? Here, we will dive deep into the practical ways that you can set your child up for an encouraging and uplifting school experience, to ensure they’re excited to learn.
What Is School Culture?
Each school has its own values, so the culture includes factors such as how teachers interact with students, how kids treat each other, and whether your child is going to feel safe, supported, and included. A positive school culture provides a sense of belonging, so your child can feel empowered to be curious, confident, and kind.
The academic aspect of learning is the overall “what” of a school. The culture is more of the “how” it achieves preparing students for success. So when the “how” feels good, the “what” part is easier to reach.
Talk Positively About School In the Home
To begin creating a foundation for your child’s school experience, start discussing it early. Children are intuitive, so if they hear how you talk about school with stress or negativity (like the pain of back-to-school costs), those feelings can be absorbed. Create a sense of excitement surrounding the school year by doing some of the following:
- Focus on the aspects of school that your child will enjoy, such as making new friends or learning about their favorite animals.
- Discuss and share stories about your own school experiences, such as fun learning activities you enjoyed, your favorite teachers, or memorable times with friends.
- Present things like a new activity that may be intimidating or homework challenges as opportunities for your child to thrive, rather than as a burden.
Your child can begin to look at school as a space for fun and growth, and it will help them to walk into their classroom with more confidence.
Create a Routine Surrounding Learning
Routines are essential for children, so it’s helpful to have predictability in your mornings, evenings, and even on weekends. Because school has a strict routine, it can help it feel less overwhelming if your child is already used to routines. Set your child up with a consistent bedtime routine, consider packing lunches together before dinner, and allow your child to choose an outfit for school the night before. It can help reduce morning chaos and let your little one to arrive at school feeling ready to take on each day.
School spirit is also a helpful tool in creating a sense of community for your child. Get them some merch from the school store. Something as simple as comfy school sweatshirts for kids can help them feel proud to belong. When they wear their school’s signature colors, it can help to reinforce the idea that they are part of something bigger, a team where they matter.
Collaborating With Teachers
The phrase “It takes a village” is indicative of the school experience. A positive school culture requires a team effort, so as parents, we play a crucial role in maintaining open communication with teachers. It helps to build consistency and trust. For example, you can check in with your child’s teacher regularly, without waiting for the next parent-teacher conference, especially if you have something specific that needs to be discussed.
Be prepared to share insights about your child’s learning style, struggles, or interests that can be beneficial at the beginning of the school year. And be sure to also express your appreciation for the teacher’s hard work in the classroom. Something as simple as a thank-you note can go a long way to make a teacher’s day better. When your child sees the connection between home and school, they will feel more encouraged and supported.
Celebrating Effort
Rather than putting such a strong focus on getting good grades at school, work on acknowledging your child’s creativity, problem-solving, and persistence at learning. One of the most powerful ways you can support a positive school culture is to celebrate your little one’s efforts, even if it doesn’t reflect in a grade.
Instead of being proud of an “A”, consider rephrasing how you encourage them. Try saying something like, “I’m proud of how hard you worked on this project.” These little changes help to build resilience and relay to your child the solid message that learning is about growth, not perfection.
Socialization and Friendships
Connection is an integral part of feeling welcome in the school community. Kids learn how to practice teamwork, empathy, and social confidence at school. You can help to support your child’s social skills by encouraging them to do some of the following:
- Share and take turns with toys and games.
- Introduce themselves to new people.
- Stand up for themselves and others in a respectful manner.
Schedule playdates or set up after-school participation in clubs or sports where your child will have the opportunity to develop friendships outside of the classroom. A school culture thrives when its students have connections to one another, so your encouragement can make a significant difference.
Teaching Kindness and Inclusion
Kindness and inclusion are at the center of school culture. Model this practice at home by helping your child practice empathy and understanding of others, with questions like “How do you think your friend felt when that happened?” This can help your child learn to consider others’ feelings.
Encourage your child to talk to a classmate who is struggling or invite a student to join an activity if they are feeling left out. You can also create a project at home to talk about diversity and how to respect differences in others. When your child practices these activities at home, they’ll likely carry them into their classrooms. It helps to develop a more welcoming and compassionate environment.
Involvement in School Activities
Being an active part of your child’s school helps to promote the idea that education is a priority within the family. Even if you’re busy with work and other necessary obligations, taking just a little time to find a way to be involved is an excellent way to positively impact your child’s school culture.
If you’re able, consider joining the school’s PTA or volunteering for specific school events. You could also spearhead or help organize fundraisers and other classroom activities. If you don’t have the time or capacity for those things, take the time to attend school assemblies, performances, or sports, and other activities your child participates in. Your little one will be proud to see you cheer them on, and your presence provides a sound reinforcement for school being a positive place.
Create an Environment at Home With School Values
If your child’s school emphasizes specific values, such as kindness, responsibility, or curiosity, reinforce these same values by practicing them at home. When the values at school align with the values at home, your child gains consistency that can help make their learning and growing easier.
For example, if responsibility is encouraged at school, try giving your child specific duties at home, such as caring for a pet or completing a chore. That will enhance the idea of the importance of being responsible.
If curiosity is being celebrated at school, take your child on outings to museums, explore nature, or provide a hands-on project at home to reinforce that.
Building Resilience
Lastly, it’s essential to recognize that even in a positive school culture, your child will still encounter challenges. Social situations, tests, or new subjects can sometimes feel overwhelming and stressful. Helping your child learn to manage these situations builds resilience and empowers them to tackle them when they arise again. Children who feel capable of handling difficulties will see school as a place to rise rather than shy away from.
Create a peaceful and calming environment by showing your child how to practice mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing or sensory awareness activities. Encourage your child to know when it’s time to take a break or to go outdoors and play for a change of scenery. Remember to remind your child that when they make mistakes, it’s an important part of learning and growing, rather than looking at it negatively.
Plant Seeds for a Love of Learning
Building a positive school culture for your little one won’t happen overnight. You’ll need to take some actionable steps to encourage them at home and involve yourself as well as your child in the school community. Every step you take will help create an environment where your child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn.
School should be a place where your child can grow academically, as well as emotionally and socially. Allowing your child to feel celebrated, connected, and cared for provides a foundation for a lifelong love of learning, which is the ultimate goal.
