9 ways to have a great relationship with your child's teacher

9 ways to have a great relationship with your child’s teacher

Your child spends a lot of time at school, so it is important to build up a good relationship with your child’s teacher. It might be that you want to be able to discuss the needs of your child openly, help and support them where you can, and also feel comforted that your child is happy in their school environment. Having a good relationship with the teacher can help with all of that, but how do you build it up? There are a few things that you can do to encourage a good parent/teacher relationship. Here are some suggestions. 

Pick your timing when wanting to speak with them

One of the first things that you can do is pick your timing when you want to speak to the teacher. It can be very frustrating for your child’s teacher if you as a parent are trying to have a conversation with them or discuss something in-depth at a busy time like the morning drop-off. After school may be a little easier as you could wait around but even then they may have meetings to attend or after-school clubs to run. Pick your timing by asking when it will be appropriate to schedule a call or ringing the school and asking for a phone call back. 

Try and resolve any issues directly with them

A great tip to ensure that you remain to have a good relationship with your child’s teacher is to speak to them in the first instance when you have any issues. They may not be the ones who will fully resolve it, but keeping them in the loop will be appreciated by them and they could offer extra support and advice to ensure you get the right resolution. 

Mark any correspondence 

If you send your child in with any lunch money, school contributions, payments for school trips, or even a letter, make sure you mark it down with their name. A teacher has many children to manage and can’t always account for something based on handwriting or who gave it to them. This will really help your teacher out and it is a small gesture that shows you are thinking of them. 

Always contribute where you can 

Whether it is donating old uniforms, books, toys, or clothes, or you contribute financially through fundraising activities, please try and do so when you can. A school has strict budgets and sometimes needs a little extra support from parents. Of course, just because you contribute doesn’t automatically mean a great relationship, but it does show your teacher you are willing to help. Even if you volunteer your time it is shows support. 

Don’t be a pushy parent

We all want what is best for our children, but there is a difference between encouragement and being a pushy parent. Especially if you are pushy towards your child’s teacher. They only want what is best for their child as well. A pushy parent might be more demanding, but as we know, often to get what you want, kindness and patience are the way forward. It also sets a good example for your children. 

Reinforce school rules

It is hard for your little ones to conform to school life so reiterate those school rules at home. Listening is important as well as the way they respond to their teacher. It would be a good idea to reinforce those rules. As your teacher will then appreciate that there is support there with you and knows they can rely on you to help them when it is needed. 

Encourage manners and good housekeeping

As a parent, another thing you can do that will help your child’s teacher is to reinforce manners and good housekeeping. Getting to school on time, getting homework done when it is asked, and also ensuring your child is well behaved and polite will all help to strengthen the relationship with your teacher. Having support from parents is vital. 

Label uniforms

It is a small thing, but it can really help your teacher out. Labeling uniforms are essential. You might request where something is but at least if their name is in it you stand a better chance of finding it. 

Ask for feedback or what you can do to help

Finally, asking for feedback and understanding what you can do at home to help your child is vital. The more you can encourage your child at home and bring them along with their subjects the better things can be for them in school. It also shows you are willing to do what you can to help your child. 

Hopefully, these suggestions will help you to have a great relationship with your child’s teacher. 

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.