Today’s article is part of our Back to School {& Back to (Home)School!} Series. Link up your own posts, projects, tips, and tools on our Back to School Resource Page, here. To contribute an article for posting at mercyINK, please see the guest post guidelines.
Today we’re continuing on with {Part 2} of Easing the Back to School Transition with tips on good communication and involvement in your child’s school. {Read Part 1 here}
Easing the Back to School Transition: Part 2 – Communication & Involvement
by Christina Catt, contributing writer
(continued from Part 1). Another key ingredient to having a successful school year is good communication and your involvement in your child’s school and classroom.
Share important information about your child with the classroom teacher. If you don’t have enough time to do this at Orientation or Open House when you first meet the teacher, ask the teacher if it would be okay to send some information about your child by email. Tell the teacher about skills your child does well and how you expect him/her to be challenged throughout the year as you work together as a team. Share any challenges or delays your child faces as well as any good to know information like imaginary friends and such. This opens the lines of communication and gives the teacher important insights that only a parent can give.
Be a volunteer in the classroom. This not only helps the teacher, but it also allows you to see how the classroom is run and how your child interacts with others. Make sure you always make arrangements with the teacher ahead of time if you are going to volunteer in the class. There are many ways to volunteer depending on your availability. It can be as simple as reading a story to the class once a week or being an extra set of hands when they are having special learning events or a holiday party. Extra help is always needed and appreciated on field trips as well. If you do not have regular time to offer in the classroom, it can be helpful to prepare materials from home for special projects. As a former teacher, I would be concerned if your child’s teacher is hesitant to let you help in the classroom. If this happens, ask a lot of questions and find out what the reasons are!
Get involved in your child’s school. The best way to do this is join the PTA. This is a Parent Teacher Organization that most schools have. The PTA is a good place to discuss ideas and concerns and get to know other parents who care about the school, education and the community.
Appreciate your child’s teacher! Most teachers work very hard and put in extra hours to help your child reach his/her full potential throughout the year. Be sure to remember the teacher on special holidays, but also give tokens of appreciation spontaneously. Send a quick note just to say thank you, buy a cute notepad, let your child bring in a spring bouquet of flowers from your yard, or send a small treat you know he/she likes. [Check out our Back to School links for teacher gift ideas!]
The last thing I would suggest as the school year approaches is to pray for your child, the teachers and school administration, and the students your child will interact with all year. As we face this new adventure with our children, I take great comfort in knowing that while I have to let go and trust my child to the influence of others, God is still in control of everything! I hope this school year is a fabulous one for each of you and your children!
About Christina: Christina is a former teacher and long-time Virginia resident. She and her husband, Dennis, have two boys, ages (6) and (almost 4). Christina says she is, “so blessed to be a stay at home mom! It is by far the most difficult and rewarding job I have ever had.” In her little bit of spare time, Christina loves to bake, read, hang out with my family and friends, thrift shop, decorate, be creative, organize, and plan parties.
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@mercyink
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