At Bogaerts International School North Campus we regard ourselves as a learning community in which everyone can contribute to the design of experiences- including parents. We do not want home and school to work as parallel universes where there is no continuity of the habits that we are practising.
For this reason, we believe that involving parents in the teaching and learning process is a great opportunity to create the bridge between school and home. This approach helps parents to continue engaging in dialogue and thinking with children at home, and empowers students to come back to school having something to share.
Parents collaborate in many ways. One of the popular ones is reading storybooks that relate or add to our inquiry. This practice not only nurtures a sense of confidence but also fosters a strong connection with our school community.
Additionally, this practice aligns with our inquiry-based learning approach. During these sessions, parents often ask thought-provoking questions related to the book's themes, plot of characters. For instance, if the book is about affection, parents might engage students in a discussion about the ways they show affection at home, to name an example.
A simple act like this gives students the opportunity to compare and contrast their lives, helping them realise how these differences make us unique, and reflect on what it means to be part of our community.
September 28, 2023
Aarthi Krishnaraj