Im fresh from a meeting as my sons school to address some issues that have occurred in the first few days of the new year. The results were fantastic, and the experience underscores some things I would, as a parent and a professional, like to share with you. 1. Open the lines of communication at the beginning of each year. 2. Work as a team, not as opponents. 3. Do your best to act as an intermediary or mediator between the teacher and your child. 4. Did I mention opening lines of communication? I know that, as parents, it is our nature to defend our babies. Know that, regardless of what your child tells you, it is in the educators nature to do what it takes to help your child succeed. Its important to let your teachers and administrators know that you have that same goal and will do what it takes to work with them as a team. Reinforce school rules at home, when applicable. Your child is a fallible human being, who - if social communication is an issue - likely misconstrues situations. Talk to the teacher if your child is upset, but do it in an open and accepting way, rather than from a defensive standpoint. This is a breakdown in communication that is likely not any one persons fault. Try to be the translator between your child and the teacher. Get everyone on the same page and work to keep them there. Shielding your child from adversity isnt realistic, nor is it helpful in building coping skills. Help your child learn to be a strong self-advocate. Help him or her outline what strategies work best to stay calm or regain composure and reinforce when your child access those strategies independently. Share (and have your child share) these strategies with the teacher and help facilitate when you can. Finally, just keep talking and making adjustments.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:23:07 +0000
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