Smart advocacy processes can make a difference to children’s learning trajectories as the school year unfolds.
As kids engage in various learning experiences, parents can offer support by advocating for better programs and educational opportunities that are well-targeted to individual levels of readiness and ability in various subject areas.
However, advocacy can be emotion-laden and time-consuming, and it requires considerable effort. There are strategies that work well, and also common pitfalls that tend to slow down advocacy processes.
A sensible starting point for thinking about advocacy across all learner-ability levels is to consider practical and proven measures. Here are some suggestions for parents.
FIVE TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY
1) DETERMINE WHAT WILL BENEFIT YOUR CHILD. Figure out any needs you want met. Specific school-related issues? Other concerns? (Such as how to support character strengths, social-emotional learning, or physical well-being?) Prioritize. Be realistic about what can be implemented or changed. Chat with your child about what matters to them—and why.
2) GATHER INFORMATION. Pay attention to material that’s relevant. Focus on what you hope to initiate, strengthen, or resolve. For example, this may have to do with homework policies, teaching protocols, challenge levels, or something else altogether. Are there any school-based records that you should know about? Stay up to date. Use trustworthy resources, and find out about parent organizations and advocacy groups.
3) CONSIDER MULTIPLE POINTS OF VIEW. This includes those of teachers, administrators, consultants, and, of course, your child. Appreciate their perspectives, priorities, and agendas. (Even though they may not align with yours.) Listen carefully to—and reflect upon—what other people say. Be patient. You may want to take notes during discussions.
4) COLLABORATE. Work together with other stakeholders to develop a clear step-by-step action plan, with reasonable timelines and workable parameters for everyone involved. Build and maintain good relationships. This is integral because it sets the stage for further work together, and for change initiatives and better results over the long haul.
5) TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT SELF-ADVOCACY. Chat with kids about how they can advocate for themselves, and how their own attitudes and behavior can contribute to their problems—or advancement—at school and elsewhere. Help them recognize and understand their individual learning needs, and how to be respectfully assertive, discerning, and fair-minded. Kids can use their voices, interests, strengths, attitudes, creativity, and resolve as springboards leading to exciting and worthwhile learning experiences.
LAST WORDS
Children who see their parents advocating on their behalf—investing time and effort to ensure the best possible educational opportunities—are motivated to believe in themselves, and to invest in their own capabilities. When schoolwork is appropriately challenging and suited to their needs, kids are more inclined to be actively engaged in developing their own intelligence, and to reach their learning objectives. Encourage kids to work hard, to persist, to be resilient when confronting challenges, and to share in advocacy efforts over time.
AUTHOR’S NOTE – I invite you to visit my BLOG page, and to check out the many pieces there, including Finding the Right Educational Fit for Your Child.
