Sat, Nov 21 2009
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Published November 05, 2009 11:53 am - For those parents with young children in school, I hope you are finding yourself and your child(ren) settling into a routine. I have often heard that it can take until October for many new school-age children to get into their groove. Jane Drummond: Things your teacher wishes you knew For those parents with young children in school, I hope you are finding yourself and your child(ren) settling into a routine. I have often heard that it can take until October for many new school-age children to get into their groove.
I love running into families when I have seen their kids as far back as prenatal in the Parents as Teachers program and hearing how their children are faring at school. That is our job at PAT, to have those kiddos (and their parents) as ready for school as possible. For those parents and kids who are still having trouble, here are a few things to evaluate and consider — things that I think your teacher would want you to keep in mind. n You can’t send your child off to school with the idea that their teacher there is the only one they have. You, the parent, were your child’s first teacher and will continue to be his most influential one throughout his life. It is your job to help your little person be excited and positive about school. It is your job to look in that backpack every single night and be aware of what is going on at school. If a teacher asks you to do reading at home every night for 20 minutes with your child, do it! Laundry and television can wait. If working with your child toward academic success isn’t important to you, why on earth should your child care? Don’t get frustrated and do his homework for him, but show interest, encourage him and help him get it done. n Read the notes and follow the parent directions. I remember in preschool how sad I was for the kids whose parents didn’t read the notes in the backpacks. Please try and imagine how humiliating it is for a kid who just wants to fit in, and a note goes home that it is “Red Day” and to wear red and bring a red toy, and that one kid comes to school in yellow with no toy. I know we all can forget on occasion, but those kids whose parents never read and plan end up giving up too. I think every parent needs to keep a calendar and write down upcoming events. Remembering show and tell, and which days they need to wear tennis shoes so they won’t get benched on gym days … those things matter when you are little! n Be involved at school. A little can go a long way! Here are some ideas: Once a year, see if your child’s school has a policy where you can go share a lunch with your child. You will get a lot of insight to her friends, schedule and life, and open the doors to communication. Be a room parent at one party a year. That doesn’t mean you have to organize the party or spend a fortune, just show up once, take a picture and care enough to be there. I recently asked a group of high-schoolers whose parents had been room parents, and they all remembered and were still proud their parents had been involved. Ask your school how you can become involved. Most schools could not survive without parent volunteers. n For heaven’s sakes, and I mean this one with all my heart, at least know the name of your child’s teacher. You would be shocked at how many times I ask people, “Oh, who did little Sara get for kindergarten?” and they have not a clue. Fathers, you need to know, too! Again, if you are not interested, why should your child be? n I know that every household has different rules, but please remember at school we share the same ones. Here is an example: At your home, you may say it is OK if when someone hits your kid that he can hit that child back. Well, at school that isn’t going to fly. Don’t tell your child his teacher is wrong or stupid; keep in mind that his teacher is trying to maintain a classroom with up to a couple dozen kids or more, and rules are a must. I have fought this exact issue with a couple of dads before, and have had to remind them that if their boss makes them mad at work they can’t haul off and punch them without consequences. Same goes for certain language at school. Cussing may be common at home, but at school it won’t be permitted, so try not to model that as OK at home. I also know many adults had bad school experiences, but that doesn’t mean you should talk down school and assume your child will too. Keep open communication with your child’s teacher. I firmly believe that 99 percent of them are in it for the right reasons, otherwise they’d burn out in a year! 
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