ReCharge! Training Center | Tools for Instructors | Coach's Clipboard: Parent/Family Involvement


		Why is it important for parents/families to be involved in their children's education — and how can ReCharge! help foster parent/family involvement? (Note: National PTA, an Action for Healthy Kids partner and ReCharge!* advisor, provided the response to this question.)* The research is clear: parent involvement is vital to a child's success — in the classroom and beyond. That's why National PTA devotes so much effort toward assisting parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children. Parents and caregivers are a child's first teachers, and their work must be supported by schools, principals and teachers. When it comes to the health of our children, National PTA encourages parents and schools to work together and share the responsibility for instilling healthy habits in kids. National PTA works on many fronts to ensure that children have opportunities to engage in physical activity and learn wise eating habits — both at home and at school. PTA enthusiastically supports Action for Healthy Kids and the National Football League as they work to reinforce physical education and nutrition education during school hours, as well as after school. Programs such as ReCharge! emphasize that clear and consistent messages about healthy habits at home, in school and in the community are what's needed to combat obesity and other health problems among the nation's children. In this program, you'll see that there are many ways parents can help their children learn about nutrition and physical education. You may find, for example, that you motivate parents to invite their children into the kitchen during meal preparation to discuss healthy foods. Or, that your outreach efforts encourage a family to enjoy a quick game of football on the weekends or a brisk walk around the neighborhood after dinner. However you choose to put into practice the suggestions in this program, keep in mind that opening up communication on these topics is the first important step. See Home Field Advantage for more background information. To learn more about PTA's efforts to promote children's health, visit www.pta.org.

Why is it important for parents/families to be involved in their children's education — and how can ReCharge! help foster parent/family involvement?

(Note: National PTA, an Action for Healthy Kids partner and ReCharge! advisor, provided the response to this question.)

The research is clear: parent involvement is vital to a child's success — in the classroom and beyond. That's why National PTA devotes so much effort toward assisting parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children. Parents and caregivers are a child's first teachers, and their work must be supported by schools, principals and teachers.

When it comes to the health of our children, National PTA encourages parents and schools to work together and share the responsibility for instilling healthy habits in kids. National PTA works on many fronts to ensure that children have opportunities to engage in physical activity and learn wise eating habits — both at home and at school.

PTA enthusiastically supports Action for Healthy Kids and the National Football League as they work to reinforce physical education and nutrition education during school hours, as well as after school. Programs such as ReCharge! emphasize that clear and consistent messages about healthy habits at home, in school and in the community are what's needed to combat obesity and other health problems among the nation's children.

In this program, you'll see that there are many ways parents can help their children learn about nutrition and physical education. You may find, for example, that you motivate parents to invite their children into the kitchen during meal preparation to discuss healthy foods. Or, that your outreach efforts encourage a family to enjoy a quick game of football on the weekends or a brisk walk around the neighborhood after dinner. However you choose to put into practice the suggestions in this program, keep in mind that opening up communication on these topics is the first important step.

See Home Field Advantage for more background information. To learn more about PTA's efforts to promote children's health, visit www.pta.org.