Your child’s teacher isn’t just there to teach—they’re also your partner in helping your child succeed. Both of you share the same goal: ensuring your child has the best learning experience possible. While teachers bring expertise and structure to the classroom, you offer deep insights into your child’s personality, learning style, and needs. By collaborating with your child’s teacher, you can create a more tailored and supportive learning environment to help your child to succeed with confidence. Partnering with your child’s teacher can give you a deeper understanding of your child’s needs and provide a chance to share any concerns, observations, or suggestions that may arise along the way.
Taking the time to build a relationship with your child’s teacher can help you discover ways to support your child both at home and in school.
At a Glance
- Start the Year Strong – Early engagement sets a collaborative tone for the entire school year.
- Communicate Often – Regular check-ins help keep you informed and aligned on your child’s progress.
- Be Proactive – Keep the teacher informed about any changes that might affect your child at school, and encourage your child’s independence in their learning.
Why Teaming Up With Your Child’s Teacher is Important
Your child’s education is a team effort. While teachers lead the learning in classrooms, parents play a big role in reinforcing that learning at home. When parents and teachers work together, they create a strong support system that helps your child thrive both in the classroom and beyond. This collaboration doesn’t just benefit academic performance; it also supports your child’s social-emotional development (SEL).
Think of it like a game plan: the stronger the plan, the more confident your child will be in their learning. This sense of security can lead to greater academic achievement and an overall positive attitude toward school.
When you and the teacher are on the same page, it sends a powerful message to your child that everyone is invested in their success.
How to Build a Strong Partnership with Your Child’s Teacher
The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to establish a strong partnership with your child’s teacher. This is your opportunity to lay the groundwork for open communication and collaboration that will last throughout the year. Building this relationship early on sets the tone for effective teamwork later on.
Start by attending back-to-school events and introduce yourself to show that you’re ready to work together. Share some information about your child’s interests, strengths, and any challenges they might face. Take part in back-to-school activities or kickstart communication by doing things like:
- Attend open houses or back-to-school nights
- Schedule a meeting for check-ins, observations, etc.
- Introductory phone or in-person conversations
- Determine your teacher’s preferred communication style (text, email, phone call, etc.)
Scheduling regular check-ins, whether by email, notes, or quick chats before drop-off, can help to keep you informed and connected. These touch points can help keep you informed about your child’s progress, upcoming assignments, and any concerns that may arise, ensuring that you stay a connected and supportive presence throughout the school year.
How to Connect With Your Child’s Teacher
If you’re worried about something your child is experiencing—whether it’s with reading, writing, math, or behavior—talking with the teacher is a great first step. Sharing what you know can help both of you understand the situation better.
The teacher might have suggestions or teaching techniques that could help, and you can share what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together, you can explore the best ways to support your child.
Choose the Best Way to Communicate
Maintaining regular communication with your child’s teacher is essential, and finding the right medium to stay in touch can make all the difference. Many schools offer parent portals or apps, allowing you to send quick messages, check assignments, and stay updated–convenient for day-to-day communication and quick updates. For more sensitive or timely information, a phone call or email might be more appropriate, providing an opportunity to discuss your child’s needs in greater depth.
It’s always a good idea to ask the teacher how they prefer to communicate, so you can ensure you’re reaching out in a way that works for both of you. Whether it’s through a portal, email, or a conversation over the phone, regular communication helps you and the teacher stay aligned in supporting your child’s success.
Keep the Teacher in the Loop
Help your child’s teacher get to know them by sharing information about their skills, preferences, and experiences. The more the teacher understands what makes your child unique, the better they can support them.
Let the teacher know important things about your child, like:
- Allergies or dietary restrictions
- Their learning style
- Their academic and extracurricular interests
- What motivates your child (praise, stickers, characters, etc.)
- Whether they’re introverted or extroverted
- If they prefer a group or one-on-one setting
- Subject areas that require more support at home
- Any changes or stressful events in your child’s life, like a move, a new sibling, or something that upset them on the way to school. This information can help the teacher understand and support your child better during the day.
This open line of communication helps the teacher create a nurturing environment that aligns with your child’s unique needs, ensuring they feel understood and supported.
Be Specific
When talking with your child’s teacher, try to be specific about your child’s strengths and interests. The more detailed you are, the better the teacher can tailor their approach to meet your child’s needs. For example, you might want to mention what tends to motivate your child to stay engaged–whether that’s hands-on activities, teamwork, or a sense of accomplishment after solving a problem. You could also mention a particular subject or activities they enjoy, like how they excel when working in groups or how they have an interest in science experiments.
Similarly, when discussing challenges, be precise. If your child struggles with reading, you might want to mention what passages or words are challenging for them. If you’ve noticed patterns or particular situations where the challenges come up, sharing these insights can help the teacher offer more targeted support. This helps the teacher understand the specific area where your child needs support and can guide them in providing the right kind of help.
Being specific also applies to communication preferences. If your child responds well to a particular type of encouragement or needs extra time with assignments, let the teacher know. For instance, you could say, “My child does best when they receive positive reinforcement and need a bit more time to complete math assignments.”
The more specific you are, the better equipped the teacher will be to create a learning environment that supports your child’s growth and success.
Collaboration in Non-Traditional Learning Environments
Collaboration between parents and educators is just as crucial in non-traditional learning environments, though it may take different forms depending on the setting. If you’re homeschooling your child, you may often take on the role of the primary educator. In this sense, collaboration can involve joining homeschooling groups or co-ops to exchange resources and adjusting your teaching methods (if able to) and curriculum ideas. Additionally, homeschooling parents may partner with tutors, communicating about the child’s progress to ensure a cohesive educational experience.
IWhen microschooling your child, collaboration may be highly personalized, with frequent and direct communication between teachers and parents. Because learning in a microschooling setting is often project-based and flexible, parents may ask to work closely with teachers on curriculum choices and learning strategies. The more individualized approach to learning lays the groundwork for a system of regular feedback.
While the communication channels may be different, the importance of maintaining strong, open lines of communication remains the same. Whether through meeting with a homeschooling co-op or working closely on curriculum ideas, collaboration between parents and educators is key to creating a supportive learning environment for your child.
Encourage Your Child to Advocate Their Needs
Helping your child acclimate to their learning environment and build their confidence starts with encouraging them to ask questions and understand that it’s okay to make mistakes. Independent learners are often the ones who feel comfortable making errors, while students who may be afraid to make mistakes or ask for help may hold back, which can hinder the learning process.
Parents can play a key role in empowering their child. Encourage your child to ask their teacher for help if they’re stuck–whether during free time, before or after class, or even through email if that feels more comfortable. By reinforcing that teachers are there to support them, you’re helping your child understand that advocating for their needs is not only okay, but an important part of their learning journey.
Additionally, encouraging your child to speak up when they need help can reduce anxiety or confusion they might feel in the classroom. When your child understands that it’s okay to ask for help, they become comfortable in addressing challenges when they face them. This confidence makes transitions between home and school smoother because they know they can rely on their own voice to get the support they need.
Remember, You Know Your Child Best
As a parent, you have a deep understanding of your child’s personality, strengths, and challenges. If you notice a big change in your child’s behavior, school performance, or attitude during the year, contact the teacher right away. Changes like increased frustration or difficulty focusing can be an early indicator of challenges at school. Don’t hesitate to inform the teacher if your child doesn’t understand an assignment or needs extra help.
Teachers and parents share the same goal: helping your child succeed. By working together, and maintaining open lines of communication, you can make sure your child is set for success, both in the classroom and beyond.
