Here in New York City, a lot of our kids are being put into larger classes within the public school system. Although this can feel depressing and overwhelming for us parents, we must concentrate on supplementing their education in whatever ways we can. And the ways can be small and quite “doable.” We’ve consulted Erica Brentan formerly of Home Works NYC for her thoughts on how to navigate large class sizes.
Small class size, highly effective teachers, and high-quality instruction tailored to the individual needs of every student. These are the things parents dream of—but unfortunately, they are not a reality for most of us. Class sizes in many New York City schools are up to 32 children, and teachers are limited in the amount of time they have to focus on the individual needs of their students.
As a result, essential skills like organization, perseverance, and critical thinking often become secondary to core academic subjects, even though an analysis of 2013 school-based programs found that teaching such skills improved academic achievement by 11 percentile points. The good news? You can help foster these skills at home with your child and ensure they’re getting a well-rounded educational experience.
See Homework as an Opportunity
Whatever your opinion is on homework, we can all agree that it’s here to stay—so use it as an opportunity to support your child’s learning, and help them build skills that are critical for long-term success. Studies have shown that a parent’s attitude towards schoolwork and modeling of important skills, like time management and organization, is contagious. Setting up basic foundations that include routines, consistent expectations, and just the right study tools for your child’s unique needs are crucial for creating a positive homework experience. Moreover, a strict adherence to these foundations can be an effective way to diminish ongoing power struggles.
Emphasize Effort and Strategy to Overcome Class Size
In a culture of education where grades and test scores can impact how children define themselves academically, we should re-frame the conversation in a way that emphasizes the building blocks of success, not just the result. For example, if your child brings home a spelling test with 9 out of 10 words spelled correctly, you might say, “You studied really hard for that test! What do you think stumped you on that word?” By stressing the importance of effort and strategy, parents can help children understand what it takes to ultimately become successful. In turn, knowing what factors contribute to their success will help children define themselves less as “smart” or “stupid,” inspire them to take on challenges, and spur growth in the process.
Read (and think!) Out Loud
I recently asked a highly effective second grade teacher to name the most important thing a parent can do to support their child in school. “Think out loud while you read with them,” she replied. Children often master the skills of decoding and fluency before they can deeply understand the nuances of books—so parents can help children explore inferences, figurative language, and character development. “I wonder why the character made that decision?” or “What do you think the author means here?” are types of questions you can ask to spur their thinking.
No matter how much you do at home, building a solid partnership with your child’s teacher can have an incredible impact on their school success. Through this collaboration, children are more likely to feel safe taking risks in the classroom—like raising their hands even if they’re unsure of the answer or asking for help when they need it. Successful partnerships do not necessitate in-person meetings. The way you communicate your attitude about school greatly influences how your child will feel in their learning environment. So even if large class sizes frustrate you, you can help your child problem-solve ways to get the support they need.
Erica Brentan, a former NYC school teacher and instructional coach. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son.