On your child’s first days of school, it is important to find out as much information about their teacher’s method of instruction and the scheduled curriculum. It is just as important, however, to establish a reliable line of communication with the teacher so your student can have the best learning environment. This can be done by asking five simple questions, according to Maricopa educators.

1 What is your preferred method of contact?

Find out if the teachers like to use email, text or phone calls to communicate. Some schools allow teachers to have their cellular phones on in class, and though they are often not able to take calls freely, they can often respond quickest via text. During school hours, email is seen as the second-best form of communication, with phone calls being reserved for emergencies or when there is a lack of electronic response from the teacher.

2 If my child is struggling, what can I do at home to support them?

If your student is falling behind or unable to keep up in class, parents will likely be contacted by a teacher either via a note sent home with the child or a direct email or phone call. If no contact is made by the teacher, and a child is expressing frustration with certain material or a lack of understanding, parents are encouraged to contact the teachers via their preferred method of communication.

3 If my child has more advanced knowledge of material than I do, how can I still help them?

Being the parent of a child who is smarter than you about certain subjects can be difficult. However, resources are plentiful. Teaching and study materials are typically available through your child’s school, often directly from their teachers. Most teachers are happy to share photocopies of instructional materials with parents so they can help their child at home. There are also numerous online resources through the National Association for Gifted Children (www.nagc.org) and MENSA for Kids (www.mensaforkids.org). YouTube.com is also a resource for parents to watch instructional videos on certain topics. However, use caution with this method as not all information on YouTube has been vetted for accuracy.

4 If my child will experience chronic absences due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. medical, personal), what should I do?

Parents aware of their child’s need to miss class on a continual basis should work with teachers to learn the teaching schedule to avoid missing class at key moments of core instruction. Emergency situations aside, doing this ensures minimum impact on your child’s education.

5 If there is a complicated family dynamic at home, what should I do so my child is less affected at school?

It’s not necessary for teachers to know every little detail about a student’s personal life. However, it does help the teacher provide a more conducive learning environment when they’re aware of certain circumstances that may interrupt a typical routine. That can involve a different parent picking up the student on certain days, or a child going through a home relocation that could alter their transportation plans or abilities to participate in extracurricular activities.


This story appears in the August issue of InMaricopa.