Principal Bill Heasley says teachers can easily spot when a parent has over-stepped in a child's school project
Heasley, of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School in Natrona Heights, says when a young student's school project looks overly sophisticated, it's obvious that the student had too much parental help.
For instance, if a child who doesn't demonstrate much artistic ability in class comes in with an elaborate art project, both teachers and envious peers will be suspicious that the child didn't do most of the work.
"It's pretty easy to tell in 90 percent of the cases," Heasley says. "The other kids can pick it out, too, and say, 'We know your parents helped you.' "
When children work on school projects, it's tempting for parents to step in and help them create something that will earn a good grade. Parents especially may want to help if their children's projects reflect their own careers: for instance, a doctor whose son is doing a human-anatomy project for the science fair.
Although some parental help is good and appropriate, depending on the child's age, adults definitely need to be careful not to overstep and do too much work themselves, experts say.
"Very simply, it should be the child's grade, not the parents' grade," says Heasley says.
Within proper boundaries, parents working with their kids on school projects can be a fulfilling experience, says Rick Walsh, principal of Wexford Elementary School. He speaks from experience as a father of three, a former teacher and now an administrator.
"I think it's rewarding that families spend some time on a project, sharing in the joy of learning," says Walsh. "I think it's a wonderful opportunity. It's a wonderful venue to share ... experiences with the child, but ultimately, it's the child's project.
Walsh recommends that parents take an interested, but limited, role in their kids' school projects.
"It's good to have guidance and have conversations, but be respectful of the child's vision of what the project might look like, and allow the children to demonstrate their ability on their own," he says.
Julie McSwaney's two kids -- Kylie, 13; and Shane, 10 -- can count on some inspiration and guidance when they begin school projects, but the rest is up to them.
Shane recently completed his science fair project -- building a burglar alarm with a battery -- for Metzgar Elementary School. He had hoped his mom would pick out a project, but she told Shane to pick one. Then, she supported him through the project, but let him do the work.
"We've always been very hands-on parents, but we also know that ... if you allow (kids) to, it will turn into a parents' project instead of the kids' project," says McSwaney, who lives in Delmont, Westmoreland County. "We help them get started, but it's up to them to get the project done and make sure it's done properly."
Christine Stone, 34, of Squirrel Hill, says her husband, Andrew, has to rein her in whenever their daughters -- Sophia, 9, and Lily, 7 -- do projects for their classes at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Shadyside. Stone jokingly describes herself as an overly zealous mom.
"Whenever they come home from school with these projects, I'm perhaps more excited than they are," she says. "I'm quite anxious to see what the assignment is, and when we can get started. They will say, 'Hey, it's my project.' "
Stone's daughters are perfectly capable of doing the work themselves, she says.
"It's just really fun for me to be involved."
As a teacher, Emily Willard of Richland knows not to get too involved with helping her children do their special school projects.
Still, Willard says it's rewarding to work with her sons -- J.R., 16; and James, 12 -- within limits. She has saved some of their projects, including bottle rockets, collages and posters.
"I've always enjoyed doing the projects with them," Willard says. "I think it's a nice time to do projects together, but it's also is an opportunity to be creative and help their creativity to blossom. It's fun to go out and shop and get all the materials, but you have to let them go with it."
Guidelines for school project help
• It's appropriate to give more help to younger kids, but the older they get, the less guidance they should receive.
• As a parent, you can oversee the project and make sure your kids are on track, but leave most of the details to them. Kids will need to explain to their teachers how they went through the process and found their projects' results.
• Engage in conversations with your kids about how they envision the projects. You can give your input, but let their ideas prevail.
• Take the kids out shopping for needed materials, but let them decide specifically how to use the material.
• Remember what your child's age-level capabilities are. The teachers do not expect a professional-looking project from a 7-year-old, and it will be obvious if the student got too much adult help.
• Communicate with your child's teacher about what role you should play in a project.
Sources: Bill Heasley, principal of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School in Natrona Heights; Rick Walsh, principal of Wexford Elementary School.
