Having school start today is very exciting for everyone. Certainly most of the kids are pleased and excited. They may not all be excited about classes; it may be about seeing their old friends and meeting new ones which is also worthwhile.

Parents are pleased too. For them, it may not be about classes but more about freedom.

Parents may feel that this gives them a lot of extra time, but that may not be true. With the beginning of school comes some additional work for parents. To make the year successful for your child, you really need to be involved. You need to understand the expectations for your little one so that you can support and encourage the abundant learning that takes place in school.

You are frequently the key to your child’s success. When she is learning to read, she is most successful when you read with her at home. When he is learning history, he learns the most when you are interested in what he is learning.

When you can ask her some questions about the book she is reading for her language arts class, it lets her know of your interest. Your involvement and encouragement makes a huge difference in the effort your child puts into school.

The people who teach our children are to be admired. It isn’t an easy task. Some do it better than others but all have something special to give to the children entrusted to them.

Teachers at home

There is another teacher whose role we sometimes ignore. You are a teacher to your child just as a teacher in the classroom. There are so many lessons you are responsible for teaching your child, and they are critical lessons.

You are the one who is teaching him to finish his chores, pick up his room, make his bed and put his dishes away after he eats.

You are the one who is teaching her to say please and thank you and the importance of writing thank you notes.

You are the one who teaches him about the being thoughtful and kind to others.

You are the one who teaches her the importance of reading a night time story before bedtime.

You are the one who teaches him that sorting the trash is valuable so more can be recycled.

You are the one who teaches her about love when you walk to the mailbox holding hands with your partner.

You are the one who teaches him to offer to help when you are cleaning the kitchen or raking the leaves.

You are the one who teaches her to help feed the pets and to give them attention.

These are just a beginning of the many lessons that are taught at home by a teacher called a parent.

The learning that happens at home is as important as the learning at school. Neither should be neglected. School learning is critical, but so is all he is continuing to learn at home.

The learning at home is usually taught by two or more teachers. It isn’t just mom’s job; it’s dad’s job and grandma’s and grandpa’s job. It may even be the neighbor’s job or a friend of the family.

We all have a role. It is even the role of the person in the grocery store who teaches your child that a friendly smile is worth a lot.

So look around for all the lessons that are being taught in your home, in your community, and in your school. We all have a responsibility to be the teachers to our young people. They will be responsible for us in the future, so our teaching today will have a payoff tomorrow.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com or at 681-2250.