One of the best ways to help your niece or nephew learn is by supporting them at school or preschool. In today’s busy society, kids need the extra pair of eyes or ears helping them through the daily trials and tribulations of school, and it’s a great way for the loving aunt to truly know the details of the child’s life. Here are some tips to get started on getting more involved with your niece or nephew’s formal education:

Ask Questions
This is the first step for any caring relative or friend to take – you can ask questions of your niece or nephew as well as of the parents. You can find out what the child’s schedule is like, if she is having any problems, if she has a favorite teacher or subject. Gathering the information is key to being able to help the child succeed in school.

Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to offer your assistance to your niece or nephew, their school, and the parents. Of course, being physically present might not be possible, but you still have a lot to offer! Perhaps the school needs someone to make phone calls or maybe your niece or nephew is participating in a fundraiser. Every little bit helps and knowing that you’re making the effort to make the school a better place will give the child motivation to do the same.

Help with Homework
Helping with homework is something that any auntie can do from anywhere! It can be as simple as reading books before bedtime (this can even be done over the phone!) to help with literacy or sitting down with math worksheets to struggle through multiplication. Students are getting more homework now and often need adult assistance. Showing that you are willing to take the time to help shows your dedication to learning and that education is important to you.

Be a Resource
The fact that you are an adult automatically makes you a wonderful resource on many things! Whatever your area of expertise may be, share little tidbits with your niece or nephew and share what you had to do to excel in your career. If you have a love for a particular activity and share that with a child, it will benefit the child in many ways. He will be able to relate future learning to this activity and your experiences will help him see that education is important.

Listen
Last but not least, be a willing listener. Sit back and just hear what the child is telling you about his or her day. Perhaps she’ll open up to you more than she would to a parent and this is an opportunity to show that her social problems at school really are important to you. Does she have issues with a particular class? This is the chance to help her problem-solve. Being a good listener and asking those questions about her day is immensely beneficial and will show that you understand what she’s going through and are willing to help.

It’s said that it takes a village to raise a child and in education, it takes an entire city. I know all too well how tempting it is to focus on the “extra” activities with my nieces, but getting involved with their education is one of the most important things you could ever do. Remember, it can be as simple as reading a bedtime story over the phone - every little bit helps!