Tips for Parents

Preparing kids for the future is the most important part of any parent’s role. It always has been. YOU—more than anyone else—have the biggest impact on whether your children do well in school and in life. That’s why parents invest time, energy, and love at home to help their children learn and grow.

What kids learn at home is vital to their development. And the strong academics they learn in school are an enormous part of their preparation. But for today’s kids to be truly prepared for the world they’ll face, they need more.

They need opportunities both in and outside the classroom that connect learning to what’s happening in the world of work. They need to learn in new ways, develop new and different skills—like problem solving, positive attitude, time management, teamwork, self motivation, and, of course, technology.

As parents, your role in your children’s education is more important than ever before—and it’s changing. You’re now part of a partnership of schools, businesses, and parents who must work together to prepare kids for the future.

Today’s kids are facing a world completely different from the one we entered. No doubt, it’s an exciting world—with lots of opportunities.

But it's a challenging world, too.

Your kids will be the first to live in a truly global economy, where faxes, e-mail, videoconferencing and the Internet bring the world closer together.
They will be competing with the whole world for good jobs.
The workplace is changing dramatically. Companies no longer hire employees for life, reducing job security and increasing the number of careers your children will hold before retirement. And who knows how technology will change our future? Your kids are likely to hold jobs in future years that don’t even exist today.
Good paying jobs will belong to people with specialized skills and knowledge. Those jobs will require training, but not necessarily four years of college.

Different times dictate a new kind of preparation for kids. They need to be challenged at school and at home. They need academic and workplace skills. It’s the kind of support that comes from a whole network of caring adults.

Kids start developing the basic skills, behaviors and information they need for employment as early as kindergarten—with reinforcement throughout elementary, junior high/middle school, high school, college and other training.

So, it’s never too soon to help them prepare for the future.

No matter what path they take, they WILL go to work at some point. Help them make the most of their education so that, when the time comes, they can make good decisions and be prepared for the challenges they face.

Here are tips that you, as parents, can follow to ensure that your children are getting the preparation they need at home and school.

Help your child learn about as many different jobs, businesses and professions as possible. Talk with friends and relatives when your children are present. Talk to your children about your own job. Take them to work with you if possible.
Motivate your children to do their best in school and extra-curricular activities. Let them know that, for right now, school is their job. Make sure they attend every day, on time, and with a good attitude. It’s important for children to see the connection between hard work and a job well done.
Explore with them their personal talents, likes and dislikes. Ask: “What are you good at?” “Do you like being around people?” “Do you like working inside or outside?” The more your children know about themselves, the easier it will be to recognize jobs they’ll like and do well.
Teach your children responsibility by giving them jobs around the house. Help them gain pride in doing a good job. They’ll start to understand that people rely on them to get things done.
Help your children appreciate the value of ALL work in our society. Don’t discount any jobs as not worth pursuing. You might be surprised where tomorrow’s best jobs start from. Encourage them to consider career opportunities previously associated with the opposite sex.
Guide your children toward acquiring skills—problem solving, math, English, science, technology. Help them see how the skills they are learning link to skills needed on the job.
Find out what your child is learning in school. Work with teachers and parent/teacher organizations to ensure that job readiness is part of the curriculum.
Encourage schools to provide real-work experiences through job shadowing, work-based learning, field trips, and employer visits.
Find out what opportunities for career exploration exist in your community (scouting, 4-H, Junior Achievement) and encourage your children to participate.
Provide as many opportunities as you can for your children to learn and use technology.

Remember, preparing your kids for the future means more than sending them to school—elementary, junior high, high school or college. No matter how old your children are, they need your help. Do something now! If you would like more information about how YOU can prepare your children for a successful future, contact your local school district.