Communication Is the Key Factor With Your Child’s Teacher

Depending on if you live in a big city or small town or even the school system your child is in, Teacher-Parent conferences are usually held twice a year. These conferences are vitally important to ascertain if your child’s academic progress is on track; any problems areas which need to be addressed; and your child’s overall scholastic achievement.  At these conferences you must have communication with your child’s teacher to fully understand how your child is doing and to also express any worries or concerns you have with your child.

Many teachers will often speak about the importance of maintaining a good parent/teacher relationship.  While the public school system continues to undergo reorganization, the No Child Left Behind Act has ensured that every single child will be given every opportunity to excel in school.  Having said that, there are situations in which some parents do not address these issues, nor take part in their child’s educational career.  Some parents never attend conferences; answer letters sent home, or take an interest in their child’s education. It is only at the end of the school year, they frantically question why their child is failing.

Teachers can only do so much during the course of a school day. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their children have good study habits, complete their homework assignments on time, attend school every day, and fully engage in classroom dialogue.  Parents who communicate with teachers not only show their interest, but contribute to the learning process as well.  There are parents who frequently call teachers; attend every conference and Parent Association meetings, and become involved in every facet of their child’s education. They are an essential component in ensuring that enough materials are available in the schools, such as books, paper, writing implements, maps, and any other resource needed by teachers.

In addition to communicating with teachers, parents also talk with Guidance Counselors; school psychologists and social workers to ensure their child is receiving the best possible support in achieving success.  While this system is not perfect, the parents along with teachers and support staff can completely turn a school around by networking, communicating, and reaching out to other support systems to ensure the school and its faculty is providing proper educational techniques, standards, and curricula.

Every parent knows why communication with your child’s teacher is important. So too, every parent must ensure their child understands that without a proper education, their chances of moving on to high school and college could be jeopardized. If you have a child in school, read every piece of material that is sent home; whether it is a newsletter, a communiqué, or your child’s progress report. If you have not seen any of this information, ask your child if it was received or call the school to find out when it was sent home. Most of the information is either mailed or sent home with your child. Make sure the school has your correct address and telephone number, in case of emergencies. If you receive a letter in the mail and you need clarification, contact the teacher. They are there to answer your questions. Being intricately involved in your child’s education will ensure a successful road ahead.

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Let’s Talk About Strangers

Our children seem to become more and more vulnerable to strangers everyday. Whether online or in rural areas and big cities, we are facing a pandemic of kidnappings; online pedophiles, and what appears to be an attack on our children.  It is vital, then, that you talk to your kids about strangers.

Some pre-K schools have already begun the practice of teaching children what to do when confronted by strangers. This has to be reinforced at home as well. Because children are so trusting, it is all the more important to explain to them what to do in case they are approached by someone they do not know. Just a few tips on what we can talk tell our children:

* Never talk to a stranger.
* Never accept anything from a stranger.
* Never get into a car with someone you don’t know.
* If a stranger looks nice, it doesn’t mean they are.
* When walking home from school, pair up with one or two friends.
* Go straight home; do not delay by stopping somewhere with friends.
* If a stranger comes up to you, run and scream.
* Tell a teacher if anyone tried to bother you on your way to school.
* Don’t stray from the playground.
* If a stranger says “Your mommy told me to pick you up from school,” don’t believe the person.  Run away, find a teacher, and report it.
* Walk home from school using the same route every day.
* If mommy is picking you up, wait for her inside the school’s main office.

For children who use the internet; there are parental controls which can be used to block out certain sites.  Check on your kids’ internet use; what sites they’ve visited; chat rooms or other areas online. Every child needs to be aware of the dangers of the internet. While most kids are using computers in schools and at home, it is important they know there are bad people in this world; that strangers go online specifically to find young girls and boys. Alert them to the fact that while they may think they are talking to a person of a similar age, the person could really be an adult.

In addition, every state affords your child the ability to receive an identification card. The identification card includes the child’s age, sex, height, weight, birthday, hair/eye color, current address, phone, parental information, and a picture and fingerprints of your child. This is vital in finding children who are abducted.

There was a time when trust was a tenet we all lived by. Today, unfortunately, we have the sad duty to tell our kids they can’t trust everyone, sometimes adults in their own families. How do you tell a child, without frightening them, there are people in this world whose sole aim is to harm them?  It’s a delicate balance, and as difficult as it may be, every parent should talk to their child about the dangers out there.

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