The key to being a volunteer in you child's classroom is to find out from the teacher exactly what they need. Talk to them at the beginning of the school year and let them know when you are available to help in the classroom. Find out what areas they need help and then decide if you are up to the task. Whether it be reading with students, helping on the computer, making copies, planning classroom parties, putting up bulletin boards, hanging papers, answering questions, or organizing the cabinet, your help will be very much appreciated. When you volunteer it frees up the teacher to teach.

Whatever time commitment you make, be sure to follow through. Don't say you will be there every Tuesday and then only show up once a month. If once a month is all the time you have then that is fine too. The most important thing is to be dependable. Don't leave the teacher hanging at the last moment. They are counting on the parents that volunteer. In fact, as a teacher, I know that the help I received from parent volunteers was priceless. It enabled me to focus on my students, teaching the lessons, and meeting their needs.

As a parent, I make it a point to volunteer in my son’s class at least once a month as well as helping with the class parties. This allows me to help the teacher, but also observe the class dynamics and how my child relates to the teacher and his peers. I consider this a special time for me to spend with my son even though I may not interact with him the entire time.  He knows that I am taking time for him and his classmates. Your child will feel very important that you took the time to help them, their teacher, and their friends at school.

If the teacher does not seem to be the type to desire your help, then seek out another avenue. The specialty teachers such as PE, Music, and Art just may need help. You could also check with the school office, cafeteria, or school counselor to see if your assistance can be used. You are sure to find someone that will welcome your volunteering efforts.

If you are a working parent and your schedule does not allow for you to help during school hours, then find out what else you could do to help. Don’t dismiss volunteering just because you aren’t available during the day. You may be able to help with a school event in the evening, help the teacher at home by cutting pictures out for a special project or even making phone calls for the upcoming bake sale.

Whatever your situation may be, volunteering in your child's class or at their school is very important. Make every effort to spend some of your time helping.