When it comes to giving your child the support he or she needs to succeed emotionally and academically, research shows that a partnership between parent and teacher can go a long way. Here are some ways parents can help make that much-needed bond:
1. Help the teacher get to know your child. Make it a point to introduce yourself to the teachers and tell them about your child as a person — her likes and dislikes, strengths and weakness, general personality traits, and your vision for your child in the future. The more teachers know about your child as a person, the better they can address your child's specific situation.
2. Be collaborative. Treat your child's teachers as part of the support team. Ask them for help and strategies you can use at home with your child — and then do it! Teachers appreciate it when parents do their part.
3. Communicate, communicate, communicate! Whether it's by email, phone, or in person, make an ongoing effort to stay in touch with your children's teachers. Having an open communication by way of notes and conferences with them is a positive way of finding out how your child is progressing.
4. Put it in writing. Put everything in writing and document requests, questions, and notes. This way, you are always well prepared for conferences based on documentation to and from each teacher. Write a brief summary of how your child is doing at home — what areas you’re seeing improvement in, what struggles you’re experiencing at home, etc.
5. Join forces to help your child get organized. Together, you and your child's teachers can help your child get organized – with daily assignment books, different folders for different subjects, etc.
6. Know your rights and responsibilities. The very best thing any parent of a child with special needs can do is learn the rules and laws that govern the schools. Find out what are the school's responsibilities — and then make sure you understand your own responsibilities.
St. Aloysius Education Center is a nonpublic charter school that supports successful learning in children diagnosed with either an emotional, cognitive or a specific learning disability. We meet all of the State’s standards and provide individualized instruction by a highly qualified staff. For more information on how we can help your child succeed, give us a call today.