How to Communicate With Your Child’s Teacher

Because our children are our most treasured part of our lives, we can get emotional about their future. Oftentimes,  we think in terms of loyalty and family allegiances. After all we assume that we know what’s best for our children. Or others of us go to the opposite extreme, and we turn all of the power over the “experts”. True teachers and principals see another side of children that parents and caretakers can not always see. However, YOU are the one who gets to travel this road with your child from start to finish. You should have a strong say in all that goes into educating your child, but you must also remember that the world is a big place and your child will have to navigate both the good and bad aspects of life one day. Many teachers love your children, too, and they want them to succeed as well.


Here are some positive strategies to use when you express your values:

1. Understand that you, your child, and your child’s teacher should have similar goals: to engage the content and skills that your child needs on a level (and through methods) where he/she can succeed in learning.
   
2. Recognize that this is a crucial, yet temporary, partnership. This year is an important step in the overall educational career, but it does not determine the level of success your child can achieve. However the way that YOU (the parent) react and act towards the teacher will shape the way your child views school, education, and the learning process. These attitudes are more likely to shape your child’s future.
   
3. Express that you value the partnership, and ask the teacher for ways to extend the lessons he teaches outside of the classroom. Is there an educational game or toy that you can get? A book you can borrow from the library? A place that you can visit? Ask what would be in line with the curriculum.
   
4. Do not side with your son or daughter (against a teacher) in front of the child. This is a Lose, lose, lose situation. Try to be as objective as you possibly can. You can advocate for your child in other ways. Write a note/ email, conference with the teacher while your child is with another caretaker, work with a third party consultant to help you mitigate the situation.