by Dr. Z
July 26 2010
Categories: Parenting Tips
Ensuring your child’s success in school requires time and attention, yet one of the simplest ways to guarantee success is often overlooked – building the parent-teacher bond.
The new school year is a perfect time for parents to lay the right foundation for a successful partnership with their child’s new teacher. Over the next few weeks I’ll share with you tips on building a trusting relationship with your child’s teacher to help start the new school year right!
Invest the time in orientation—it’s worth it! Orientation is perhaps the most important way to calm your child’s—and even your own—nerves. Schools host orientations because they understand how essential it is for parents to know what to expect and to get their questions answered. If you have to miss a scheduled orientation, don’t be afraid to make a separate appointment to visit with your child’s teacher. Here are questions you might ask that can help start the parent-teacher dialogue:
- What is the daily schedule? Does it change?
- When is it best for us to chat if I have questions or concerns?
- What is the best way to communicate with you (e-mail or phone)?
- How will I know what happens each day and what the day was like for my child?
Provide requested information. Come prepared on the first day of school with your emergency contact information, if it’s not already on file. Also, if your child has been enrolled in child care or preschool before, feel free to share any comments from previous child care providers’ related to your child’s disposition and learning style that you think may be helpful to the new teacher.
Teachers want to earn your trust. Teachers want the parents of their students to have confidence that they are leaving their child with someone they trust. Relationships are built over time and trust is earned day to day. Children look for emotional cues from parents’ behavior, particularly when they are placed in unfamiliar situations. The more comfortable you are with your child’s teacher, the more comfortable your child will be.
I’ll have more tips for you later in the week, but in the mean time, consider the following question: how have you partnered with your child’s teacher to ensure success?
