Forging a Partnership with Your Child’s Teacher

Establishing mutual trust with the teacher is a great way to invest in your child’s academic future. When each party feels valued, it improves your exchanges and makes intervention strategies easier to implement. To show your child’s teacher that you trust them, you can do the following:

• Support their decisions
• Ask for tips on setting up a homework routine
• Attend parent-teacher meetings
• Etc.

By contacting your child’s teacher, you’re sending the message that you’re a committed parent. Plus, the more informed you are about your child’s school life, the easier it will be to support their learning. Here are some examples of questions to ask:

• What’s the best way to contact you?
• How does my child behave in class?
• Does my child do their homework and lessons?
• Etc.

Asking these questions will allow you to work in tandem with the teacher and get a better picture of your child’s situation at school.

You know your child better than anyone else and are aware of every event that happens in their life, both big and small. To help the teacher better understand your child, consider sharing information that may be influencing their behaviours and reactions:

• Challenges at home
• Major life changes (new baby, problems with friends, parental separation, etc.)
• Sleep problems
• Health issues
• Etc.

Listening is one of the keys to good communication. By welcoming the teacher’s comments, you’re helping to create a climate of trust and promote dialogue. Here are a few tips to show that you’re open and attentive:

• Use positive body language (e.g., avoid crossing your arms)
• Speak calmly
• Rephrase the teacher’s statements to confirm that you’ve understood
• Etc.

Taking the time to write a thank-you note to your child’s teacher once in a while is a small gesture that can make a big difference. By doing so, you’re recognizing their contribution to your child’s academic success.