Ideas for getting involved

There are many ways in which you, as a parent or carer, can get involved in promoting the health and well-being of your children in partnership with the school.

In the home

Discuss with the school how you can:

• spend regular time talking with your child, discussing and sharing feelings, hopes and aspirations
• show your child that you value his or her education and the work of the school
• express high but realistic expectations of your child in relation to learning and developing a healthy lifestyle
• provide a quiet place and time at home for your child to do homework, or other quiet activities
• take an interest in their work and help them as appropriate
• monitor internet access and limit computer and video game time
• encourage your child to take part in physical activity and social activities after school
• join in your child's activities where appropriate
• accompany and support your child at sporting activities
• provide healthy, nutritious meals and packed lunches
• eat at a table with your child as often as possible
• ensure your child has sufficient sleep and has breakfast before school
• be firm about bedtimes, curfew times, TV programmes and videos
• give your child appropriate responsibilities at home
• be a role model for your child's health and well-being.

In the school community

Discuss with the school how you can:

• take an interest in the full range of your child's educational experience, as well as health promotion activities
• find out your child's strengths and weaknesses, what support is needed and what assistance is available
• offer your skills to help the work of the school
• attend health promotion/health education evenings arranged by the school
• become involved in the school's health promotion activities
• get involved in the school's parent-teacher association (PTA) 
• help to organise and attend social events, for example dances, concerts, sporting events, outings, school fairs
• become a school council member or attend meetings which help to develop school policies to provide support for the school and other parents
• work towards improving the school grounds, create a herb or vegetable garden, make the grounds an eco-friendly environment or help to organise playground resources
• become a member of the School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG), which works to improve the provision of food in schools and the facilities in the dining hall and the tuckshop
• encourage school links with the local community through involvement with local employers, agencies and other services
• promote the school, for example by helping to establish and run a school website that informs the wider community about school achievements and events.

Please note that child protection regulations in schools mean anyone involved directly with classes is required to have a Disclosure Scotland check.

More information and advice on getting involved can be found on the Parentzone website.