6 Benefits of Building Strong Connections at Home and at School

For thriving, curious children to explore new ideas with confidence, connection can be a driving force behind their motivation to learn. Increased family engagement and connection through shared STEM experiences can enhance your child’s sense of security and support better academic outcomes by building essential traits like confidence and persistence.

During developmental years, kids are hardwired for connection. You can support your child’s desire for connection by keeping them motivated to push through challenges or self-doubt, offering positive reinforcement and guiding questions that encourage thoughtful moments of reflection. Read on to explore the academic benefits of fostering authentic connections and effective family engagement.

Communication

Connection helps equip children to express themselves at home as well as at school, so they'll be more likely to ask questions and share ideas in the classroom. As you explore STEM together, using connection questions designed to spark deeper conversations will help you better understand your child’s experiences, interests and beliefs (especially about themselves!). For example, rather than asking “How was school?” you might ask, “What was something challenging today that you overcame?” or “If you could add a brand-new room to your school, what would it be used for?” When ideas are treated with genuine interest, children see the value in their unique perspective and want to communicate it.

Confidence

When children are connected to their caregivers, they develop confidence and demonstrate a greater willingness to open up and share their experiences. As your child explores STEM through trial and error, offering words of encouragement when they practice their creative problem-solving skills is just as important as offering positive reinforcement when they achieve a goal. With support and connection, your child will develop a growth mindset and the confidence to believe in themselves!

Essential Life Skills

Connection fosters emotional regulation and other important social skills valued in the classroom. Because kids mirror their social dynamics at home when they are at school, imagine just how helpful they can be during collaborative project-based learning. By creating positive learning experiences at home that center around teamwork, your child will thrive during peer-to-peer collaboration. Think of it this way – kids who are encouraged at home are more likely to encourage their friends to solve challenges and share new ideas.

Improved Attendance

Feeling connected to peers, teachers and their overall school environment can improve engagement and attendance rates, but staying connected at home can help too! Whether it be a sports team or STEM club, fostering opportunities for connection can add incentives for being present at school and developing traits that help your child succeed. With opportunities for meaningful and authentic connections, creating before-school rituals or traditions like a special breakfast or a 10-minute dance party can help spark connection during your morning routine.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation fuels curiosity and creativity, helping students connect with big STEM ideas in meaningful ways. Motivated students also demonstrate a positive attitude toward learning, leading to better academic performance and personal growth. By developing intrinsic motivation early in their development, children are more likely to develop the lifelong skills they need to succeed in school environments and beyond.

Joy in Learning

Strong connections between families and educators create a foundation of trust, joy and shared purpose, empowering young students to thrive. When families are engaged, children develop a love for learning, knowing they’ll find support at home and in the classroom. Encouraging your child to confidently explore, create and grow with at-home activities is a great place to start. Consider trying out a STEM experiment or new craft to foster quality time.

Learn More Family Engagement Strategies

By working together, families and educators can build a connected community where every child feels inspired to reach their full potential. As you reach beyond the classroom to ensure your child’s academic student success, creating meaningful moments of connection with your child will boost their creativity and confidence, reminding them to stay connected to the world. To find more trending topics in STEM education, we invite you to keep exploring our blog.