What Teachers REALLY Want...

A special shoutout to the amazing teachers and early childhood educators that work with our children.

I think we can all agree that teaching is an incredibly demanding job - mentally, emotionally, and often physically, for early childhood educators.

One of the best things we can do, as parents sending their children off to school, is to support the amazing educators that care for our children.

This helps them focus on our children, which is what we really want, right?

So here's 5 ways you can support your child's teachers:

1. Set Up a Formal Time To Discuss Important Issues

Teachers have very structured schedules.

Every moment of the day is planned out, including before and after school when they have to do clean up, complete documentation for the day, work on upcoming lessons/activity planning, etc.

It’s helpful for parents to recognize this and keep conversation brief at pick up and drop off.

If you have something important to discuss with your child's teacher, it’s best to call the office or send an email to set up a specific time to do this.

If you have something of urgent nature to discuss, like food allergies, illness/medication, concerning changes in your child’s behaviour at home, etc. it's still best to speak with the office first. These issues require the teacher’s full attention and drop off/pick up is too busy.

2. Attend Curriculum Nights

Try to attend curriculum nights and parent/teacher conferences. During curriculum nights, the teachers go over the schedule of the day, what you can expect your child to learn, discuss the school’s educational philosophy, etc.

If you have any questions on these topics, chances are they’ll be answered during those meetings.

This saves the teachers and admin from answering the same question over and over throughout the school year.

3. Trust Their Experience

If your child's teacher provides you with strategies on how to best support your child’s transition to school or progress at school, do your best to implement them at home.

It’s in the best interest of your child if there is cohesion between home and school.

Teachers aren’t trying to make more work for you! Experienced educators simply know what has worked (or not worked) for other children having the same difficulties.

4. Be Positive

Speak positively about your child's school and teacher in front of your child. This sets the tone for trust and respect. While you might say something you don't really mean in a moment of frustration, it might really stick with your child. After all, they likely trust your opinion more than anyone else.

As a rule, it’s also best if you avoid speaking to a teacher about your child in front of them.

A quick update on how they slept or how much they ate at breakfast is great, but it's best not to bring up any major concerns in front of your child. It can be harmful to their self-esteem and it’s awkward.

5. Read the Handbook

Or any other information that comes home!

Parent Handbooks are a compilation of all the policies and procedures for the school. They are created to answer most commonly asked questions. It’s very helpful to the teachers and administration if you look for answers to your questions in the handbook before reaching out to the school because they often get a lot of inquiries in a day.

These guides also typically include the schools yearly calendar so that you aren’t left feeling surprised by days where the school is closed to students.

A Note on Professional Development Days

PA & PD Days can be frustrating for busy parents because it’s a day off of school but know that these are not days off for the teachers.

Teachers are either at school in meetings, preparing their classrooms, or in professional development these days. Teachers don’t have a lot of time in their classrooms without children so these days are important for your child’s overall experience at school.

And if your child is just starting school or daycare soon, you will love this post: 8 Tips to Make Drop Off Easier - From a Teacher!