Ministry of Education, Guyana

Although a parent’s role in their children’s learning evolves as kids grow, one thing remains constant: we are our children’s learning models. Our attitudes about education can inspire theirs and show them how to take charge of their own educational journey.

I view teaching as teamwork—as a collaborative process between the children in my class and myself. As a team, one of the first things we do at the start of each school year is set “shared agreements,” which is a kid-friendly way of setting classroom rules and limits.

Our class understandings are our foundation for success. It sets a tone for the kind of environment in which we want to learn and grow. Examples of these understandings are “walking feet,” “keep your hands to yourself,” and “use kind words.” These are not imposed rules that I create; the class and I create these understandings together, which is an important part of the process. The children feel a great sense of ownership and refer to them when they are not followed. I respect this process because it gives children a voice for the kind of space that they want to have. It also gives them an understanding of what is okay and what isn’t okay. I have seen this process done in many classrooms; however, it can be done at home as well. It would give families an opportunity to decide together the understandings of their home, and to strengthen the link between home and school.

With children being handed homework as early as preschool, it’s important to start thinking about study habits at a young age. Don’t wait for a bad test grade to take action. Here are some tips to support your child taking tests at any age.