A Teacher's Tips for Talking to Your Child's Teacher

It's the start of another school year and with it comes all the myriad beginning-of-the-school-year issues that parents juggle. From school supplies, to school bus schedules to lunch money, among other things, parents are inundated with numerous matters that their children "need right away."

Among those necessary responsibilities for parents, which sometimes is overlooked, is the need to become acquainted with your child's teacher. Regardless of your child's age, establishing a rapport with the teacher keeps you informed of your child's assignments, progress, and behavior, which in turn, enhances your child's academic achievement.

However, the problem for many parents is in how to go about developing that communication with the teacher. To help, here are some tips from a teacher on talking to your child's teacher.

Make Early Contact

It's a good idea to make early contact with your child's teacher. A great place to start is by contacting the teacher even before school begins. Teachers are usually in the school building during the week prior to the start of classes. Stop by to chat for a few minutes and to introduce yourself. This gives you the opportunity to ask about the teacher's expectations for the upcoming school year, while establishing yourself as a concerned and active participant in your child's education.

Lacking time for visiting the school, an e-mail is a great alternative. Teachers appreciate e-mail from a parent who seeks to be an ally in ensuring the child's academic success.

Attend Open House

Open House, Parent Night, Parent Teacher conferences - by any name, virtually all schools host events that allow parents and teachers to meet, one to one. Avail yourself of this excellent opportunity to ask questions about your child's academic progress, as well as questions about how you might best assist in this progress.

Since these events generally work within relatively tight time constraints, consider the issues that are of greatest concern to you and formulate questions on these topics in advance. Among the questions you may want to include are the following:

1. How is my child doing in your class in terms of where he should be at this point?

2. What skills and concepts do you expect my child to master by the end of each grading period?

3. Do you maintain a website where I can keep abreast of assignments?

4. If not, how often and what type of homework and tests do you give?

5. For parents of elementary school children: How much assistance should I provide with homework?

6. Does my child present any behavioral issues that you think I should know about?

7. What is the best way for me to help my child be successful in your class?

Not an exhaustive list, it gives you a good idea of the types of issues that are important to consider. Of course, your questions will be those that are most pertinent to your own child's academic and behavioral well being.

Maintain Contact Throughout the School Year

As the school year continues, maintain contact with the teacher throughout the year. Perhaps once a month you might e-mail the teacher for an update on your child. Additionally, if it suits your schedule, be an occasional volunteer to chaperone class trips or to operate a booth at a school fair.

In whatever ways you can, become a part of your child's school life. In so doing, you will be lending a show of support to your child.

Thank the teacher at the end of the year

When you send the final e-mail at the close of the school year, it would be a thoughtful and kind gesture to thank the teacher for joining you in helping your child to have a successful year. Often forgotten but much appreciated, a sincere expression of thanks lets the teacher know that their efforts on your child's behalf are recognized.

Just a few tips from a teacher, these can make talking to your child's teacher an easy and fruitful experience.