by Ken Canfield, Ph.D.

Here in the U.S., most children are starting school—either they started this week or they will in the next few weeks. As grandparents, we might be enjoying the freedom of not having to abide by the school calendar like we did as parents many years ago. There is definitely more flexibility and freedom in our lives now, and since the grandkids we love so much are still in the middle of that routine, maybe we should be asking,

How can I get involved in my grandchild’s life at school?

Are you in tune with the details of your grandchild’s school life? Do you know who their teachers and coaches are, their favorite subjects, the activities they’re involved in, how they get to and from school, what they do at lunch, and so on? A lot of grandparents are surprised at how much they don’t know about their grandkids’ lives.

Again, maybe it seems to you that those details belong more on the parents’ plates, and you have other roles and other ways to be involved. But if you want to engage your grandkids more in areas that matter to them, their education is one great way to plug in—assuming the school and your grandkids’ parents are OK with it. And you have several great options:

Simply ask your grandkids lots of questions.

What are their favorite and least favorite parts of the day? What do they usually have for lunch, and whom do they eat with? What subjects are easy, and which are more challenging? (Maybe a grandchild struggles in a subject you know well, and you can help tutor him in that.) What teachers and other staff do they enjoy the most? Just let your curiosity run wild for as long as your grandchild will answer you. You’ll learn a lot and it’s a ton of fun in the process.

Attend school activities and events.

It might be a concert, a game, a competition or demonstration, a play or a school fair. Does the school have a grandparents club or commemorate Grandparents’ Day? Don’t miss those. I treasure those opportunities to watch and cheer my grandkids. I get to see them in new situations, check out where they spend their days, meet teachers and friends, and learn more about them.

If you don’t live nearby or you can’t be there for some other reason, look into the options you have to watch via online streaming or video recording. Ask their parents to send you photos and video footage they take or share video with you that others have captured.

Many schools allow grandparents to receive email updates and access event calendars. The parents might have to give their permission for you to receive it, but that’s a great way to stay informed about what’s going on and make plans for how to attend or watch what your grandkids are doing.

Volunteer at the school.

Most schools welcome any volunteers, whether it’s a half day each week or twice a month. You’ll probably just need to fill out paperwork and be approved in advance. But check with the school or contact the district volunteer coordinator to see what you need to do to be a volunteer. Usually they can always use another reading partner or someone to help with math flash cards. Or maybe you can share briefly with a class about your career.

When you do, you’ll get to see your grandkids in a different setting and learn about what their day is like. Being there also helps you develop a better understanding of the younger generation and lets you feel connected to their ever-changing world. And even if you aren’t always in the same classroom as your grandchild, he or she will love knowing you’re in the building. There’s nothing quite like exchanging smiles from down the hall or across the lunchroom. Especially at young ages, they’ll be thrilled to have you there.

Those are just a few ways to be involved, but I hope you’ll see yourself as a member of your grandchildren’s encouragement team, playing a role where you can to support them in this important area of life.

How have you plugged into your grandchild’s education? What tips can you share? Leave a comment on our Facebook page here.