#LDchat Archive

Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.

Wednesday May 9, 2018
12:00 PM EDT

UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:00 PM EDT

LIVE NOW Welcome to today’s #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by author and parenting columnist @anndouglas. We’ll be chatting about ending the school year on a high note with parent-teacher relationships.
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:00 PM EDT

Who’s with us today? #ldchat
eatteachblog May 9 @ 12:02 PM EDT

Divya - special education teacher from Eastern Tennessee! Hi everyone :) #Ldchat
In reply to @UnderstoodOrg
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:03 PM EDT

Hi Divya! How's your day going so far? #ldchat
In reply to @eatteachblog
eatteachblog May 9 @ 12:03 PM EDT

Going great! :) Excited to hear all the ideas here today. #ldchat
In reply to @UnderstoodOrg
DrSharonSaline May 9 @ 12:04 PM EDT

I'm here, Dr. Sharon Saline. So interested in participating in this topic. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:04 PM EDT

Hello, this is Kimberly Nicholls. I’m a mom of a 25 weeker in Third Grade #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:04 PM EDT

Great to have you, Kimberly! Hold tight. We'll begin in just a few... #ldchat
In reply to @klnichollsmd
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:04 PM EDT

who is also 2018’s Little Miss Delaware United States #ldchat
Dale_Chu May 9 @ 12:05 PM EDT

HAPPENING NOW: @UnderstoodOrg and @anndouglas hosting a discussion on parent-teacher relationships. Follow along at #LDchat!
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:05 PM EDT

Always great having you! Thanks for joining! #ldchat
In reply to @DrSharonSaline
ElevareLondon May 9 @ 12:06 PM EDT

#LDchat #edchat #education #11plustips #acceleratedlearning #prepschool #highered #parentpower #putkidsfirst #schoolchoice #parentalchoice #elevenplus
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:06 PM EDT

Let's get started! #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:06 PM EDT

We’ll use the Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:06 PM EDT

Q1. What are some ways for a parent to build a positive relationship with her child’s teacher? #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:07 PM EDT

A1. Communicate early and often. Keep the lines of communication open in good times and not-so-good times. Express appreciation. And don’t be afraid to apologize when needed. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:08 PM EDT

I have a very positive relationship with my child’s teacher. In fact we talk every day #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:08 PM EDT

A1. Keep your eyes on the prize. Your ultimate goal is to make things better for your child. Recognize that you and your child’s teacher share that same goal. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:08 PM EDT

We have Class Dojo installed in the classroom so the teachers can talk to us real time #ldchat
DWardwritergirl May 9 @ 12:09 PM EDT

Looking forward to the chat today! Mom of 2 kids in NJ with learning and attention issues #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:09 PM EDT

Developing a good relationship will make it easier to share concerns and work together to help the child succeed. #ldchat https://t.co/YTE8in115y
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:09 PM EDT

And also, I touch basis with her every day when I pick my child up from school #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:09 PM EDT

It's great when the communication channel is that strong. #ldchat
In reply to @klnichollsmd
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:10 PM EDT

Yes. Well I did choose a particular school. Her class size is only six, so we all have a close relationship. #ldchat
DrSharonSaline May 9 @ 12:10 PM EDT

A1. Cooperation and a mutual interest in helping the child learn how they learn best is the best way for parents and teachers to unit as a team. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:10 PM EDT

“Remember that teachers want proactive parents.” #ldchat https://t.co/zYi1Qt4BTL
DWardwritergirl May 9 @ 12:11 PM EDT

A1: I like to send emails to teacher checking on progress, or schedule an early morning meeting with coffee for the teacher. #ldchat
iplante May 9 @ 12:11 PM EDT

Come and discuss Inclusive Classrooms and #Accessibility at the next #MSFTEduChat TweetMeet. #MicrosoftEDU Tuesday May 15, 1pm ET #ldchat #atchat #edtechchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:12 PM EDT

Great thoughts so far! Let's move to Q2. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:12 PM EDT

Q2. What does effective communication between parents and teachers look like, in terms of both tone and medium? #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:12 PM EDT

Yes! Indeed. Teachers love an involved parent. It helps to ask about the curriculum. volunteering at the school helps build bridges, #ldchat
eatteachblog May 9 @ 12:12 PM EDT

The Importance of Parent Teacher Communication <3 #PTChat #ldchat https://t.co/HrzcNMvvvU
DrSharonSaline May 9 @ 12:12 PM EDT

A1: Mutual respect for each other - this is a 2 way street based on supporting a child who deserves advocates! #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:13 PM EDT

A2 Effective parent-teacher communication is positive and respectful. It assumes the best of intentions of the other person and recognizes that we’re all in this together. #ldchat
DWardwritergirl May 9 @ 12:14 PM EDT

A2: Positive tone is a must and try to keep emotions in check. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:14 PM EDT

I feel like we’re a tag team. We tell each other what’s happening at home at school and that translates into progress for my child. #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:14 PM EDT

A2 In terms of channel, whatever works best for both parties! And it's okay to use more than one channel. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:15 PM EDT

Most teachers expect and welcome communication via email. #ldchat https://t.co/eNOhtN2Y3j
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:15 PM EDT

We constantly have to work together to find what issues my child might be having and come up with a solution. #ldchat
cmutena May 9 @ 12:15 PM EDT

The fear sometimes in parents is that if they talk openly and end up offending the teacher then the child gets the brunt of that .. you find parents saying what the teacher wants to hear to ensure the child doesn't suffer the consequence. This is not effective comm #ldchat
In reply to @UnderstoodOrg
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:15 PM EDT
Yes! This may mean talking things through with a friend or family member ahead of time -- to get yourself to that place of calm! #ldchat
- DWardwritergirl May 9 @ 12:14 PM EDT
  
  A2: Positive tone is a must and try to keep emotions in check. #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:16 PM EDT
Great way to look at it. #ldchat
- klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:14 PM EDT
  
  I feel like we’re a tag team. We tell each other what’s happening at home at school and that translates into progress for my child. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:16 PM EDT

It's a tricky situation. How do we resolve this? #ldchat
In reply to @cmutena
DrSharonSaline May 9 @ 12:16 PM EDT

A2: Respect, respect, respect. Without it, we may not hear the other's input. Unfortunately it is the child who suffers. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:16 PM EDT

A good example. My child hates doing homework and would simply cram the sheets in the back of her desk and claim they were lost. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:16 PM EDT

Use this guide to see what to include in an email to your child’s teacher to help you get the best response. #ldchat https://t.co/5usyxMedzb
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:16 PM EDT
That's a really important point. You can't solve a problem together if the other person doesn't realize that there is a problem. #ldchat
- cmutena May 9 @ 12:15 PM EDT
  
  The fear sometimes in parents is that if they talk openly and end up offending the teacher then the child gets the brunt of that .. you find parents saying what the teacher wants to hear to ensure the child doesn't suffer the consequence. This is not effective comm #ldchat
  In reply to @UnderstoodOrg
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:17 PM EDT

So, once we figured out that she was in fact hiding the missing homework and not writing the assignments in her planner... #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:18 PM EDT
A shocking number of field trip permission forms met the same fate in our family.... #ldchat
- klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:16 PM EDT
  
  A good example. My child hates doing homework and would simply cram the sheets in the back of her desk and claim they were lost. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:18 PM EDT

her teacher made her write the planner in front of her, and I took the homework home so we could assure it got done. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:18 PM EDT

Q3 coming right up... #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:19 PM EDT

Q3. Should you have a disagreement with your child’s teacher, what are some ways to reduce or avoid friction? #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:19 PM EDT

@anndouglass Yes, she’s actually really great with giving me permission slip forms because she really loves field trips #ldchat
digcoaching May 9 @ 12:19 PM EDT

A2: Sharing a child's interests will help tap into their learning style. Teachers don't often know each student's interests. #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:20 PM EDT

A3 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
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:21 PM EDT

Excellent point! #ldchat
In reply to @anndouglas
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:21 PM EDT

If disagreements affect your rapport, the friction could impact the child, too. #ldchat https://t.co/wj4vyvm6gj
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:21 PM EDT

@digcoaching very very true. Interest is key to your child’s academic performance. We’re struggling with her Social Studies. #ldchat
digcoaching May 9 @ 12:22 PM EDT

A3: Reminding the teacher or parent that we need to work together to help the child. "It takes a village" to raise a child. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:22 PM EDT

Q3 is a very good one, it’s important to keep in mind that you both want the best for your child and to find a solution together. #ldchat
cmutena May 9 @ 12:23 PM EDT

Avoid blame game .. ensure the child is not present during the discussion and also if possible have a third party to mediate. #ldchat
In reply to @UnderstoodOrg
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:23 PM EDT

“If you truly can’t get anywhere with the teacher, it’s appropriate to ask to speak with the principal.” #ldchat https://t.co/BRIkVx2XGn
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:24 PM EDT

Last question coming up... #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:24 PM EDT

Q4. How can strong parent-teacher relationships boost student achievement and outcomes? #ldchat
DWardwritergirl May 9 @ 12:24 PM EDT

A3: When you and a teacher disagree, its time to reach out to the school principal or guidance councilor for support. Try to keep emotions to a minimum. #ldchat
DrSharonSaline May 9 @ 12:25 PM EDT

A3: Generally friction happens bcs both parties are so passionate about helping the child. It's helpful to remind ourselves of this #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:25 PM EDT

Q4 is really the basis of academic success. How can any parent achievement without a relationship with the teacher? #ldchat
anndouglas May 9 @ 12:25 PM EDT

A4: Strong parent-teacher relationships allow kids to see that there are a whole bunch of people rooting for them and working to make things better. That’s powerful! #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:26 PM EDT

Partnering with your child’s teacher can help your child have a more positive outlook on school. #ldchat https://t.co/UUgxFCDLsf
DrSharonSaline May 9 @ 12:26 PM EDT

A4: 2 brains are better than one; each side brings valuable perspectives allowing the child to be fully understood & thus helped. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:26 PM EDT

And having a child with special needs, you have to be an effective communicator. It’s a team effort and your child plays a role, too #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:27 PM EDT

I cannot imagine a place where I cannot talk to my child’s teachers and accurately gage her performance. #ldchat
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:28 PM EDT

Here are some tips to help parents and teachers work together toward success for the child at parent-teacher conferences. #ldchat https://t.co/Q6HS6jW4ZI
UnderstoodOrg May 9 @ 12:28 PM EDT

Any final thoughts in our last couple of minutes? #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:28 PM EDT

It’s how you know all the interventions and work you put into rehabilitating your child is improving their quality of life. #ldchat
digcoaching May 9 @ 12:28 PM EDT

A4: Kids sense tension and often try to please the adult, which takes away from their own needs to grow individually and fully. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:29 PM EDT

Final thoughts. Really work with your child’s teacher to form a structure where they can thrive. #ldchat
klnichollsmd May 9 @ 12:29 PM EDT

You get zero percent of the accommodations you don’t ask for. #ldchat