How to stay on your kids' teachers good side
With everyone back into the swing of the school routine, it’s time for parents to focus on building a relationship with their child’s teacher. Education and parenting experts agree that a child’s classroom success largely depends upon the quality of the parent-teacher relationship. Diane Levin, Ph.D., professor of education at Wheelock College says, “A positive parent-teacher relationship helps your child feel good about school and be successful in school. It makes a child feel like the important people in his life are working together.”
Cozi.com (www.cozi.com), a Web site for families that provides essential tips and advice for parents, offers these five simple suggestions for parents to help develop a unified force with their children’s teachers:
1. Make contact with the teacher at an appropriate time
It’s common for parents to attempt to have a quick chat with their child’s teacher at drop off and pick up times, but those are chaotic moments that require a teacher’s full attention. If you need to get in touch with your child’s teacher, leave a note in his backpack, send an email stating that you’d like to make an appointment to come in, or leave a voicemail.
2. Keep your sick child home
While teachers understand the hardships of finding child care for a sick child, they certainly don’t want germs spread to other students in class – not to mention themselves.
3. Help out in the classroom
An extra pair of hands can go a long way! Check with the teacher beforehand to see what will be expected of you.
4. Ask questions when you’re concerned, but don’t attack
If you’re speaking with your child’s teacher about an issue that is troubling you, do your best to stay calm as you list your concerns. Ask questions and stay away from accusations.
5. Be appreciative
Who doesn’t love to get a nice thank you note once in awhile? Send your child’s teacher a quick note now and then expressing how you appreciate the teacher’s hard work.
For more information about building a positive parent-teacher relationship, visit http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/5-ways-get-teachers-good-side.
About Cozi
Cozi is a free web and mobile service that simplifies busy family life. With Cozi, families have the tools to manage schedules and activities with an online calendar, track shopping and to do lists, organize household chores, and share family moments with relatives and friends—all with one solution. Families can access Cozi from any computer at home or work, and can get their shopping list, to do list, schedule and messages on any mobile phone. Located in Seattle, Wash., Cozi was founded by veterans of Microsoft, Expedia and Amazon with a vision for creating technology tuned to the family. Cozi has over 2.5 million registered family members, and is available for free at www.cozi.com.
