Seven Good Reasons for Volunteering in Your Child's Classroom

Many parents send their children off to school each morning and never see the inside of the buildings their child inhabits six or more hours a day. If you're a working parent you may not have the option of volunteering time in your local school, but even then there are ways to support your child's education. This list, however, is for those who do have time in their weekly schedule to do volunteer work. Your schools can always use willing volunteers and you don't have to know a lot about education to do it. If you're a person, you can relate to another person, and voile, you're a welcome volunteer. These days you'll have to work through the school office and have necessary paperwork done to ensure the safety of the children, and you'll always need to check into the school office on your arrival. Once those formalities are taken care of you're ready to get in there and help. Teachers, especially in elementary schools, always have things you can do to lighten the load. You'll find tasks ranging from making copies and cutting paper for art projects to teaching small groups or listening to a child read to you one on one. Trust me, volunteers are desperately needed and you'll be received with a big welcome if you choose to be one. Here are seven good reasons to make that choice:

1) When you volunteer at school you show your child that you value education and you value the things happening in the school. It's a positive way to tell your son or daughter that you care about them.

2) Volunteering is a way to support your hard-working classroom teacher. Spend just a few days in any classroom and you'll never again say that teachers don't earn their pay. Teachers need volunteers to do a vast number of tasks and they're good at matching your skills to the needs of the children in the class.

3) When you volunteer in schools you get a first-hand look at the curriculum and how it's used each day. You see math lessons in action, reading workshops and how they operate, science projects in progress. If you wonder what kids are doing all day, you'll soon see.

4) When you see the makeup of classrooms, the backgrounds of the children and the strengths and weaknesses of learners you will better understand your community. Perhaps there are many cultures and socio-economic levels represented in the room. You'll see practical ways to improve and serve your community.

5) As you work with children or observe them while you do projects, you'll get a sense of meeting the needs of the children. That's a good feeling. You may even see a way to use your skills within the school system and find a new calling for your life.

6) As you watch educational professionals work and give to the children, you'll gain knowledge about ways to support others in small steps and in positive ways. You'll be a better parent as you learn these attitudes and skills.

7) Time is often as valuable to us as our money. As you volunteer you are being generous with your time. Yes, you'll receive as well, but you'll feel that wonderful sense of choosing to be of value to others. That's a good thing.

Send a note to your child's teacher or stop in at the school office to find out how to begin the process of becoming a school volunteer. Don't let a lack of experience stop you because everyone has something to offer. Remember that many children need emotional support as much as they need instruction. You're a resource just waiting to be tapped, so get going and become a school volunteer.