We are pleased to welcome our guest, Sara Watkins, who is here to share some really great tips to encouraging positive parent-teacher relationships. So important. Welcome, Sara!
One of the hardest days of my parental life was the day I walked my oldest son, Cooper, into a foreign environment and handed him over to a complete stranger. Yes, his first day of school was probably more terrifying for me than him.
As parents, we are the most influential adults in our children’s lives-that goes without say. But when they step foot in a school building we are trusting another person to care for the physical, emotional, mental, and academic needs of our children. And it sure isn’t easy.
I found that developing a constructive relationship with my son’s teacher helped me cope with this tough fact. Feeling like she and I were on the same team working together to do what was best for my son eased my fears and promoted a positive learning experience for Cooper. Through years of trial and error and questioning every teacher I know I’ve found that some methods to winning over teachers work better than others.
With that being said, here are a few tips on how to encourage a positive relationship between you & your child’s other significant adult:
1. Show up. Get your child to school on time every day, and do your best to schedule any off campus appointments after school hours. And if you commit to volunteer or donate, then do it.
2. Be prepared. Send your child to school ready to learn. Make sure he has all required materials and eats a well balanced breakfast so he will have the energy and materials necessary to get through a busy day.
3. Volunteer. Schools are often short handed & teachers can use all the help they can get. When you’re in the class take note of all the students & help wherever you can-I know it’s hard but you’ve got to try not to cling to your precious little one. Remember class is in session, this isn’t the time to chat with the teacher. Get your assignment & get to work. If you can’t be in the classroom during school hours then offer to prep class materials at home or plan the next class social.
4. Back a teacher up. You may not see eye-to-eye on every issue but you can still be respectful, especially in front of your child. Also, sometimes certain teachers and certain students just don’t mesh well. It’s sad but true. Rather than undermine the teacher or ask for a new class placement try encouraging your child to find ways to successfully collaborate.
5. Reinforce learning at home. It makes a teacher’s job so much easier and your child’s education so much sturdier when you work with your child outside the school walls. Now I’m not saying you need to devote hours to rigorous structured learning around your dining room table. Just do your best to read to or with your child daily, and talk about educational related topics when applicable through normal conversation. Don’t just make learning fun make it common. If you are enthusiastic about learning than your children will pick up on your positive vibes.
6. Communicate. The best way to build any relationship is by communicating regularly. Check in on how your child is faring in class & ask what you can do to help. But remember, teachers are very busy. Not only do they have 29 other students to care for, they also have a life that goes on after the final bell rings. Be flexible. Ask your child’s teacher when is the best time to reach him and how.
7. Give gift cards. A little bribery never hurt, right? No really, don’t feel like you have to give a teacher a gift. But if you do go with a gift card. We all love physical, tangible gifts but teachers can only have so many coffee mugs & they can only eat so many apples. Give him something he can really use like a gift card to his favorite restaurant or store.
And while we’re at it, here are a few things you really just should not do.
1. Send your child to school sick. There’s no worst way to win someone over than to infect her with illness. Do the whole class a favor and quarantine those viruses at home.
2. Do your child’s homework for him/her. Teachers are smart. They can clearly tell the difference between a seven-year-old’s solar system model and that of a thirty-seven year old. You aren’t fooling anyone and you certainly aren’t doing anyone-especially your child-any favors by cheating. Teachers would rather that your child not turn in an assignment than turn in the work of his parents.
3. Excuse your child. The sole duty of a teacher is to promote the development of your little one and you can encourage that by maintaining open, honest communication between you and the teacher. It’s okay if your child struggles. It’s okay if she forgot to do an assignment, slept in a little late, or just doesn’t understand the course material. Allowing kids to handle reasonable responsibilities, even when they fail a little, teaches them accountability & provides the setting to develop vital life skills. As long as you and the teacher are on the same page you can work together on these issues to do what is best for your child.
I wish you and your new best friend the best of luck during this new school year.
Sara is just your average girl trying to survive in an all boy world. Between three energetic, athletic, very active sons & a former NFL player as a husband her life is full of spectating, cheering, refereeing, & supplying massive amounts of food. She is an adventure junkie & can never hike, paddle board, swim, surf, or travel enough. She loves living on a little island in the middle of a big ocean-despite her phobias of shark attacks & tsunamis.
Once your kids have come home from their fantastic day at school, why not get them talking about their day and their awesome teacher, with these free printable after school questions:
And be prepared for those crazy sports days with this ebook, including printables and other life saving bonuses!
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