Extensive research confirms that a proper parents teacher relationship will result in a child performing better at school. The connection may not be immediately obvious, but the simple fact is that children who know that their parents take a personal interest in their school life take their studies more seriously. Among other things, this is because all children seek their parents’ approval, and seeing a high degree of parental interest in their academic performance clearly shows them that better grades is a good way of getting it. Children of parents who do not take an active interest in their school life tend to view school as a separate and not necessarily important part of life.
By networking with their children’s teachers, parents become partners in making their children’s dreams come true, and in helping them reach their fullest potential .After all, it is teachers who give children the knowledge tools to help them set things in motion later in life. When parents fail to recognize this and build amenable relationships with their children’s teachers, they are losing out on an incredible opportunity to be part of their children’s future. Teachers should be given due recognition for the role they play in a child’s life. As Margaret Riel said, being able to help someone learn something is a talent.
How can parents begin to build a better relationship with their children’s teachers? While there are no clearly defined formulas, it will definitely call for increased interaction at some level. Calling up regularly (but not incessantly – teachers are busy people) is a good way to start.
On such calls, you can warm the conversation up with some informal pleasantries or local gossip, then politely inquire about your child’s performance and general conduct at school. Asking for suggestions is a sure-fire ice breaker – most teachers are happy to share their views on such subjects. You are certain to get some very useful insights. Keep an open mind and be willing to learn from experience. Attending the local PTA meeting after having interacted with some of your child’s teachers on a personal level also becomes a far richer social experience.
In this age of social networking, parents can also network with their children’s teachers on the Internet. Such teacher parent websites are, in fact, very effective, since they have the advantage of leaving behind a documented track record of such interactions. Also, parents and teachers can exchange far more information in this manner than on the telephone – or even during face-to-face meetings. The best way to go is to join a specialized parent-teacher network. Not only does this allow parents to keep up to date with their kids’ classes and activities, it also lets them network with other parents. This is an invaluable advantage. Parent forums can also be of great help.
Of course, personally attending school events is an obvious must-do. Parents should attend as many parent-teacher conferences, open houses and cultural events as possible. This gives teachers the assurance that the parents are interested in their child’s performance, progress and wellbeing and at school, in turn giving them greater incentive to take personal interest in the child. For parents who have the time and willingness, volunteering as classroom helpers, drama coaches or field-trip chaperones at the school are matchless ways of involving themselves in their children’s school lives.
In closing, I’d like to share with you a priceless gem of a poem by an unknown author that beautifully elucidates the importance of a parent-teacher partnership. You may want to share it at the next teacher appreciation week in your child’s school:
Whose Child Is This?
“Whose child is this?” I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
“Mine”, said the parent with a tender smile
“Mine to keep a little while.
To bathe his/her hands and comb his/her hair,
To tell him/her what he/she is to wear,
To prepare him/her that he/she may always be good,
And each day do the things he/she should”.
“Whose child is this?” I asked again,
As the door opened and someone came in.
“Mine”, said the teacher with the same tender smile.
“Mine, to keep just for a little while.
To teach him/her how to be gentle and kind,
To train and direct his/her dear little mind,
To help him/her live by every rule,
And get the best he/she can from school”.
“Whose child is this?” I asked once more,
Just as the little one entered the door.
“Ours”, said the parent and the teacher as they smiled.
And each took the hand of the little child.
“Ours to love and train together.
Ours this blessed task forever.”
——————————————
The post is written by Priya Florence Shah
