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Welcome to today's #LDchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We're joined today by author and parenting columnist @anndouglas to discuss the importance of parent-teacher relationships.
A1: The best time to establish a parent-teacher connection is in the summer, as soon as you learn who your child's teacher will be. Write a note or email, introducing yourself, giving a short summary of your child's needs and concerns. #LDchat
A1. The sooner the better! Figure out which channel(s) work best for both of you (e-mails, text messages, phone calls, or a face-to-face conversation at the school) and make the most of those channels. #LDchat
A1. If your child’s school organizes a back-to-school open house or meet and greet, try to attend. If you can’t be there in person, reach out to the teacher in other ways. It’s all about establishing a friendly rapport. #LDchat
A1: Parent-teacher partnerships are just that - partnerships designed to support your child. As soon as possible, and as welcoming and accommodating as possible, share your insights into how you have helped your child perform their best. #LDChat
A1: As soon as possible! Go to the back to school nights. If there is a plan for your child, start emailing and meeting so that time is not missed. #LDchat
A1: Agree with others that earlier is better. Teachers often get A LOT of early communication. Acknowledge the craziness, express gratitude, and keep the immediate asks to a minimum. "Just FYI" emails are received the best. Establish open lines of communication. #ldchat
A1. As an academic therapist, I am fortunate to establish parent relationships before meeting their child. It's amazing to see how much you learn from their perspective. As a teacher, I did my best to contact parents during service week. #LDchat
A1: From the start, but realistically the partnership will evolve over time. Teachers should set the tone that he/she intends to work collaboratively with parents. #ldchat
A1: Although our Inventives have typically finished high school, they do still need the support of parents. We welcome when our Inventive's parents share their unique insight into the working of their kids' brains! #LDChat
Can't stress this enough. You can save everybody a meeting or two if you just go to open houses/parent nights. So much info and a chance to establish face-to-face. #ldchat
A1: Parent-teacher partnerships are just that - partnerships designed to support your child. As soon as possible, and as welcoming and accommodating as possible, share your insights into how you have helped your child perform their best. #LDChat
A1: One specific idea is for teachers to ask parents to write a paper about their child titled "What We Can Do To Help My Child Grow This Year." Describe strengths, goals, likes/dislikes, etc. so teacher gets a full view of the child from parent. #ldchat
I agree the earlier the better via email or in person, giving a brief introduction as soon as possible - our teachers are the strongest allies parents can have #ldchat
It's always a good time. It can be before school begins. It's also never too late, regardless of the time of year. Build communication channels from the start, by whatever means works for everyone, so families feel like a part of their child's school experience. #LDchat A1
I love the simplicity and effectiveness of this little tool. "Getting to know you" meetings can stretch on and on for teachers. If parents slip them a concise 3x3 card with this info, most likely it will be received with great enthusiasm. #ldchat
A2. Effective communication always has a goal: to build a relationship; to solve a particular problem; to share/obtain additional information -- or all of the above! Try to keep those goal(s) in mind when you’re communicating with your child’s teacher. #ldchat
A2: Effective communication is concise, can be frequent, but not too frequent. I recommend different forms of communication based on the response anticipated and the urgency it. #LDchat
A2: I have heard many teachers express that they can quickly identify the "helicopter" or over-involved parent, & yet many other teachers, especially in lower socio-economic areas, wish their parents would reach out. Sharing concerns should never be considered intrusive. #LDChat
A2: In my role, I share feedback from teachers with parents. So often teachers hesitate to share info about problems early. The instinct is to collect enough data to make a case if need be. Solicit feedback early and express support for teachers. You will be in the loop. #ldchat
Agreed! so much great information is shared if teachers simply ask parents for that info. Also, if teachers are specific about how they want that information shared, they won't be overloaded with individual communications. #ldchat
A1: One specific idea is for teachers to ask parents to write a paper about their child titled "What We Can Do To Help My Child Grow This Year." Describe strengths, goals, likes/dislikes, etc. so teacher gets a full view of the child from parent. #ldchat
A2. The parents of my older kids with ADHD are super heroes. They are key to establishing the "saturation point," both at home and in school. Let go of perfection, improvement is more like it. #LDchat
Great advice here! Have a goal for every communication and keep it short and sweet whenever possible. Teachers love short emails with specific asks. #ldchat
A2. Effective communication always has a goal: to build a relationship; to solve a particular problem; to share/obtain additional information -- or all of the above! Try to keep those goal(s) in mind when you’re communicating with your child’s teacher. #ldchat
Effective is anytime access. That doesn't mean parents must always reach teachers, but that there's enough of the classroom represented in other ways (online, email update) to make families feel connected. I don't think you can overcommunicate, but don't overwhelm. #LDchat A2
And don't let fear of being labelled a "helicopter parent" prevent you from doing what comes naturally -- being an effective advocate on behalf of your child. #ldchat
A2: I have heard many teachers express that they can quickly identify the "helicopter" or over-involved parent, & yet many other teachers, especially in lower socio-economic areas, wish their parents would reach out. Sharing concerns should never be considered intrusive. #LDChat
A2: Before you "communicate" your feelings, make sure you aren't writing as a hot-head. Some messages can inflame - rather than support - a strong parent-teacher partnership. Wait for a few hours or overnight and re-read your draft! #LDChat
A2: Don't let the fear of "overcommunicating" stop you from informing teachers about your child's learning needs or your willingness to support your child's learning at home. If you're worried about overcommunicating, you're not the type to overcommunicate. #ldchat
A3. Be prepared. Make notes ahead of time about information you want to share and questions you want to ask. Be positive and solutions-oriented. Express appreciation and your willingness to work together. #LDchat
A3: Be Prepared! Showing up to any conference unprepared is a recipe for disaster - showing up to your child's Parent-teacher conference unprepared is not being a good advocate. Also, be kind and offer to help out. #LDChat
A3. Look for opportunities to advocate for your child – and encourage him to advocate for himself, as well (to the extent that this is possible, given his age/abilities). #LDchat
No relationship thrives when beginning from a place of judgment. We can't "quickly identify" a human being. Get to know them, learn from them, begin to understand the reasons behind their level of involvement instead of jumping to a label. #ptchat#LDchat
A2: I have heard many teachers express that they can quickly identify the "helicopter" or over-involved parent, & yet many other teachers, especially in lower socio-economic areas, wish their parents would reach out. Sharing concerns should never be considered intrusive. #LDChat
A2: Don't let the fear of "overcommunicating" stop you from informing teachers about your child's learning needs or your willingness to support your child's learning at home. If you're worried about overcommunicating, you're not the type to overcommunicate. #ldchat
A3: Teachers are guides... they are professionally trained to spot challenges and to address them in your child... but they aren't you. They need you to alert them to issues and to the strategies that have worked in the past.#LDchat
A3: Have a goal for specific information you want to learn, share structures and routines you have at home to support learning, ask what accommodations your child gets, and how they need to access them. Set up a follow-up meeting time if necessary. #ldchat
A3. Look for opportunities to advocate for your child – and encourage him to advocate for himself, as well (to the extent that this is possible, given his age/abilities). #LDchat
A3: Teachers are guides... they are professionally trained to spot challenges and to address them in your child... but they aren't you. They need you to alert them to issues and to the strategies that have worked in the past.#LDchat
I use "saturation point" to describe when older kids emotionally melt down. Academic overload and behavioral free fall too. I like it better than angry. #LDchat
Appreciation goes a long way! It's positive reinforcement for your child's teachers. If teachers see you as an ally, they will be more likely to go the extra mile for the child because they know their efforts will be supported at home. #ldchat
A3. Be prepared. Make notes ahead of time about information you want to share and questions you want to ask. Be positive and solutions-oriented. Express appreciation and your willingness to work together. #LDchat
A2: Don't let the fear of "overcommunicating" stop you from informing teachers about your child's learning needs or your willingness to support your child's learning at home. If you're worried about overcommunicating, you're not the type to overcommunicate. #ldchat
If disagreements affect your rapport with the teacher, the friction may impact the child. Try these 7 tips to improve the relationship with the teacher. #LDchathttps://t.co/wj4vyvm6gj
A4: Always give the respect you would wish to receive yourself. I recommend reaching out to your child's teacher with a delicate email or handwritten note, quickly summarize your concerns, and ask to schedule a meeting. #LDChat
A4. Challenge yourself to remain positive and respectful. Assume the best of intentions of the other person unless proven otherwise. Remind yourself that we’re all in this together (parents, teachers, and students). #LDchat
A4. Debrief to a friend if you’re feeling really stressed and upset. Then, when you’re feeling calmer, resume the conversation with the teacher. Keep the focus on finding solutions, not assigning blame. #LDchat
A4: Sleep on it. Don't feel the need to fire off a reply right away. Read emails in the tone that is most friendly and helpful (easy to misread tones in emails). Pick up the phone, or try to schedule a meeting in person. Invite an administrator to that meeting. #ldchat
A #SpecialEd professional explains that even when parents and schools have the best interests of a child in mind, they sometimes disagree over IEPs. #LDchathttps://t.co/xO6LI0akwM
A4: I have the utmost respect for teachers, but like in any profession, errors can be made. Assume the best. Ask to schedule a phone call or face to face meeting to establish, or re-establish - the human connection and partnership. #LDChat
Q3: For Ts, I think it's important to start off with the positive ab S strengths. Then go into some areas of improvement and provide ways Ps can support at home! Not just a list, but some specific strategies or activities that are quick and easy to implement. #LDchat
