The teacher is one of your most important allies during the school year. They work incredibly hard to make sure all students achieve academic proficiency, gain crucial socio-emotional skills, and are prepared for a successful future both in and outside the classroom. One significant way you can help your child is to support your child’s teacher at school and at home. Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure a positive and productive relationship with educators.
3 steps to support your child’s teacher
- Provide the teacher with any important information. Be honest with your child’s teacher about any concerns you may have with academics and behavior. The more the teachers know, the better equipped they are to accommodate a student’s needs. It takes a few weeks to get to know every student and even longer to identify their specific academic and social requirements.
- Offer to help in some way. The beginning of the school year is exciting and exhilarating for teachers, but teachers can quickly become exhausted and overwhelmed. Offer to volunteer in the classroom if you’re able. The simplest tasks can be very time consuming, and there is always an abundance of them. If volunteering isn’t an option, ask if there is anything you can donate to the classroom. Teachers spend a lot of their own money, and any contribution is welcome.
- Remember that teachers are only human, and it’s a challenging job. Be respectful of your child’s teacher and their time. There are a lot of students in a class and, usually, only one teacher. Each student has different needs, and the person who knows them the best is you. Check in with your child about any struggles they may be having, help with homework, and reinforce the learning that took place in school that day. If you still have concerns, let the teacher know and find out what you can be doing at home to promote achievement.
There are many demands placed on teachers these days. Year after year, the expectations increase but the amount of time in a day stays the same. Teachers have a special bond with their students, tend to think of them as their own children, and are sincerely trying their best, often neglecting their personal lives. A great way to be involved with your child’s education is to be an extra resource for your child and their teacher.
Lori Lite is the founder of Stress Free Kids and has authored 12 books. Stress Free Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Build Self-Esteem, Manage Stress, and Reduce Anxiety has been named a Best Stress Management Book of All Time. Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm has been awarded the Mom’s Choice Award. Lori’s content is featured in hundreds of media outlets, including CBS News, CNN Living, WebMD, The New York Times, Family Circle, and Parenting Magazine.