- Do keep the conversation brief. Although there may be many things you want to say, focus on the most important and let the other issues come out throughout the year as the need arises. This will help the teacher remember the most important information.
- Don't call the teacher during summer break. Teachers need their break and they may not be focused during the summer. She is more likely to remember the specifics of your conversation if you wait until the teacher workdays a few days before the children return.
- Do let the teacher know a specific strength of your child. Be careful not to focus only on the needs.
- Do not criticize old teachers. Last year's teacher may be her best friend. It's not a good idea to talk about what other teachers did wrong. Instead let her know what worked well and maybe what didn't work well.
- Do let the teacher know that you are interested in being a partner with her to help your child succeed.
Help your child get involved in an activity.
Children who struggle, as well as their parents can become very consumed in what they don't do well. The child spends the entire day doing something that is very difficult and then often comes home and hears about it from the parents. When there is another activity that he can be successful in, it provides a sense of confidence. It shifts the focus away from the perceived failure and broadens one's perspective about life. After all, we all have strengths and weaknesses. Academics, while important, are not the only thing a child can succeed in. Getting involved in an activity can also keep a child connected to school, and become more well rounded, when academics alone would not.
Do's and Don'ts about getting your child involved in an activity:
- Do encourage an activity that will redirect some of his frustration. When a student struggles in reading and all of the focus is on reading, it can be overwhelming and harmful to self esteem.
- Don't push your child into an activity that will require so much time, that studying will have to take a back seat. This activity is not to replace academics.
- Do let your child choose the activity or at least have equal rights in this decision.
Other ideas to consider
- Write a one page summary of the IEP accommodations. I saw this recommended in a forum, and could be helpful.
- See if you can bring your child to veiw the room a day or so early to ease anxiety.
- Feel free to post a comment if you have any other ideas.
4 comments:
Absolutely fantastic post - thank you so much for writing it! The first day of school for us was Wednesday and I was so nervous. Everytime the phone rang my heart skipped a beat as I quickly checked the caller ID to see if was my son's school calling. Thankfully he's had a good week.
Oh and thanks for stopping by my blog. :)
Excellent post. I particularly like the point about helping your child to find something that they can do well and can get some fun and satisfaction from.
As the mother of a child who struggles in school- thank you for the very helpful tips.
As a special education teacher, I fully appreciate the helpful tips for parents. So often I have been put in the situation where parents are criticizing what has happened in the past with teachers and dwelling on those topics. It's important to focus on what is being down in the present with your child's education - can't change the past! Also, especially at the beginning of the school year, it's great to have an insight into what strengths your child possesses. We love to hear the good, because so often we hear the needs.
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