Tips for talking with teachers

Both parents and teachers want what is best for a child, so it is beneficial if you can work together on common ground. Here are some tips and suggested questions for when you do need to talk to your child’s teacher, whether he or she is the class genius, the class clown, or somewhere in between.

If a teacher contacts you regarding your child:

• Make time to talk. If you can’t give the teacher your undivided attention right then, schedule a time to talk later.

• Take notes. An unexpected phone call in the middle of your day can make it difficult to remember everything that was discussed, so write down the things that were talked about.

• Don’t interrupt. Make sure you let the teacher fully explain the reason for the phone call before you offer any comments.

• Share your thoughts and ideas. You should know your child better than the teacher. Offer suggestions and strategies to help with the situation.

• Do not expect a quick fix. If there was an easy, quick fix, the teacher would not be calling you. Take time to really think about the teacher’s concern and talk with your child. You may also need to have a face-to-face conference with the teacher.

• Don’t place blame. The purpose of the phone call is to try and help your child so try not to get defensive. The teacher needs your support to help resolve the situation.

General tips for a successful parent/teacher conference:

• Before the conference, ask your child if there is anything he or she needs you to discuss with the teacher.

• Write down your questions and prioritize them so you don’t leave any of them out.

• Most conferences are scheduled for a specific time. Arrive on time or a few minutes early so your conference time is not cut short.

• Begin with positive comments/questions instead of negative ones.

• Be open-minded to comments/suggestions from the teacher. If you are going to ask a question, be willing to listen to the answer.

• Keep your emotions under control. This is especially important in front of your child.

• If your child is not present, take notes about what is discussed so you can talk to your child about them later.

How can you be more involved in your child’s learning?

• Do things at home to complement what they are learning in the classroom.

• Know on a daily basis what homework is being assigned.

• Help your child with their homework. Do not do the work for them, just offer guidance on large projects and help with difficult questions.

• Check your child’s grades and attendance record regularly to make sure they are not falling behind.

• Know the academic standards your child is expected to meet.

Do you have social concerns about your child? Try to make your home a friendly place and encourage your child to invite friends or classmates over. Let your child see you involved in appropriate social interactions so they can have a positive role model, and encourage them to participate in school activities such as sports, music, art and other clubs. If you have concerns, here are some questions you can ask your child’s teacher:

• Does my child have any friends at school?

• Do you feel my child is having problems socializing with other children?

• Do you have any suggestions on how I can make my child feel more comfortable around his or her peers?

• What can I do at home to help my child?

• Can the school counselor help my child improve his or her social skills?

For more information contact the Garland County Extension Office at 623-6841, email Jessica at jvincent@uaex.edu, or visit our website at http://www.uaex.edu.

EHC

Interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information, call 623-6841 or email jvincent@uaex.edu.

Master Gardeners

If interested in gardening, the public is welcome to attend the monthly Master Gardener meeting held at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Lake Valley Community Church. For information, call the Extension office or email abates@uaex.edu.

4-H

If between the ages of 5 and 19, you can join 4-H. There is a club for you, or you and a group of friends can organize a club. For information, call the Extension office or email lbates@uaex.edu.