Breathing a sigh of relief because the kids are back in school? Not so
fast. Now is the time to partner with your child’s teacher. “Children whose
parents are involved in their education have higher self-esteem, more
positive attitudes toward learning and are generally more engaged than
children whose parents are not involved,” says Candace Roberts, PhD,
assistant professor of education at Saint Leo University. They also have
better attendance, higher grades and are more likely to go to college.
Use these A-plus strategies to support your little learners this year.
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Share your expertise.
You are an expert on your child. Fill the teacher in on your child’s
strengths, interests, personality and learning challenges. A little
background info sets everyone up for success. -
Expect great things.
Research shows parents’ and teachers’ expectations have a huge impact on
kids’ development. Set high but realistic expectations for your child and
share them with her teacher. Teachers’ expectations are likely to rise in
response – and that’s good for your child. -
Confront problems early.
Donna Henderson, PhD, professor of counseling at Wake Forest University,
recommends contacting your child’s teacher at the first sign of falling
grades, behavior changes or an increase in school-related complaints.
Working together, you can address problems before they get worse. -
Respect teachers’ limits.
Your child isn’t the only kid in the class. Don’t ask teachers to make
exceptions that interfere with other kids’ learning, says Henderson. Ask
the teacher to recommend additional resources so you can provide extra
tutoring at home. -
Spend time at school.
Volunteer in the classroom to show your child that education is important
to you. You’ll see first hand how the teacher works with your child and get
an insider view of classroom social dynamics. -
Offer extra support.
Parents don’t have to be present at school to support kids’ teachers,
Roberts says. Offer to prepare project materials or grade papers at home.
Kids get excited when they see their parents do homework, too. -
Establish a routine.
Create a designated, distraction-free study spot at home and set aside time
for schoolwork. A consistent routine and smart study habits minimize
stress. -
Check in.
Even if you stop in for only a few minutes, make the effort to say hello
and check in with your child’s teacher. Send a quick email if you stop by
in person. Ask how you can help your student succeed and follow through. -
Reinforce learning in real life.
Use everyday opportunities to reinforce key concepts. Test math skills at
the grocery store. Point out spelling words in books you read with your
child. Learning is a part of life, not just something that happens at
school. -
Run interference.
If school demands are overwhelming or family issues are disrupting your
child’s learning, communicate with the teacher. Advocate for your child’s
interest and collaboratively identify ways to maximize learning. -
Watch your tone.
Present complaints calmly and respectfully, Henderson advises. Use specific
examples and ask for the teacher’s ideas about what can be done. Even if
you disagree, be civil. Your child is likely to lose if you get adversarial
or aggressive. -
Show your appreciation.
Teachers’ greatest reward is seeing students grow, learn and achieve. Tell
your child’s teacher how much he enjoyed last week’s science experiment or
write a note to the principal complimenting the teacher’s work.
Partnerships flourish when people feel appreciated.
