In September, when the kids head back to school and get involved in extracurricular activities, a father may understandably assume he will see and hear less from his children.
However, Adam Urbanski, president of the Rochester Teachers Association, reminds moms and dads that a teacher’s attention and guidance cannot completely replace parenting skills.
Writing in the Democrat and Chronicle, Urbanski encourages parents to take an active interest in children’s academic and social development, as well as instilling good values at home.
An education takes place outside the classroom as well as within, he explains, suggesting that "real-life activities" can foster learning.
Furthermore, Urbanski offers the parenting advice that 30 minutes of reading with your child each day can improve their academic performance across the board.
"The single greatest predictor of a child’s success in school and in life is the amount of time spent with caring adults," Urbanski writes.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 86 percent of children are read to by a family member on a regular basis.
