6 Ways To Support Your Child’s Teachers At School

Teachers and parents share a common goal: to not only provide their children with the best possible learning experience, but to watch them succeed and develop into their individual and distinct personalities. To most effectively reach this goal, teachers need support and a working partnership with parents.

With back-to-school season fast approaching, here are six ways you can help support your child’s teachers and help make this year the best one yet.

1. Establish Open Lines Of Communication

According to Understood.org, parents should reach out to teachers at the beginning of the school year to establish open communication and form a relationship. Since you know your child better than anyone else, the Child Mind Institute recommends communicating critical information with your child's teacher so that they can better understand your child's needs. Health concerns, personality or behavioral factors, strengths and limitations, learning styles, study habits and special interests are all important factors that your child's teacher should be aware of. Inform teachers about issues at home that may be affecting your child's performance.

Throughout the school year, share your thoughts and concerns with your child’s teachers. Ask questions if you need more information or do not understand something the teacher has said. If an issue or disagreement arises, do not speak harshly about the school team in front of your child. This can have a negative impact on the student's relationship with their teacher.

2. Provide Necessary Resources

Offering your time as a resource, whether through volunteering, chaperoning or donating supplies, can provide significant support for your child’s teachers. Become a "class parent" or class advisor by assisting with activities and parties in your child’s classroom. Volunteering in the classroom by helping lead an activity station or small group, chaperoning a field trip or attending social events are great ways to contribute.

If your schedule prevents you from chaperoning or physically assisting in the classroom, you can still help behind the scenes by donating school supplies and volunteering outside of the classroom. According to Scholastic, most teachers spend their free time preparing material for their students. Helping with projects or activities at home by arranging books, stapling, cutting out materials or prepping supplies for future classroom fun can save your child’s teacher valuable time and effort.

3. Encourage Your Child’s Participation At School

Support your child’s participation in school by showing interest in and participating in classroom activities. Join or attend the school’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association) or PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), which hosts meetings with other families to discuss school issues and ways to improve the school. Participate in fundraising activities, like car washes, bake sales or silent auctions, to help raise educational funds. Attend school events, such as games, concerts and award ceremonies, that your child may or may not be involved in.

Another way is to simply ask your child about their school day. According to the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, parental involvement helps promote student achievement, which enables children to earn higher grades and motivates them to enroll in higher-level courses. High levels of parental involvement are also correlated with improved attendance and reduced dropout rates.

4. Promote A Positive Learning Environment At Home

Promoting the importance of education to your child and creating a positive learning environment at home not only supports your child’s teachers but also your child’s academic success. Promote homework as a priority by setting aside time and a quiet place at home for your child to study, read and complete homework assignments. Provide a designated homework area with necessary supplies, such as pencils, paper, calculators and highlighters. Monitor your child’s work and talk to them about their lesson plans and assignments. Ask questions, encourage active listening and help them develop organizational skills.

Simple at-home practices can also assist in preparing your child for success. For example, make sure they have finished all their homework assignments and projects for the following school day; give your child plenty of time to get a good night's sleep; ensure they eat a healthy breakfast in the morning; and dress them in weather-appropriate and comfortable clothing for school.

5. Advocate For Education

You can be an educator's advocate and voice. The Edvocate suggests staying up to date with current events and educating yourself on national news and topics regarding academic standards and pertinent challenges within educational systems. According to Programs for Parents, contacting local politicians, joining advocacy groups and educating yourself and your colleagues about recurring problems can change public policies and create positive programming to support children.

On a local level, voting is crucial to helping improve school systems. Pay attention to who you are electing to advocate for your child’s education. Are their policies best for your child’s academic success? Contact school personnel and local officials through phone, letter, email or in-person meetings and hearings with your concerns and suggestions on ways to help. Attend board meetings or participate in parent-organized groups where you can exchange ideas and concerns regarding the school. These small tasks can have a huge impact on your child’s school and school district.

6. Show Your Appreciation

It takes a village to raise a child, and those involved should all be appreciated. If you choose to purchase gifts for your child’s teacher, buy ones that will make a lasting impression, such as small contributions to their favorite charity. You can also raise funds for supplies, or ask your child’s teacher if they’ve created a classroom “wish list” on Amazon or another similar platform to help with classroom fundamentals.

Keep in mind that supporting your child’s teacher doesn’t have to cost money. Cards with written messages of appreciation from you and your child go a long way, and can also motivate an educator when they are feeling down or need encouragement. Doing this shows that you and your child are communicating about what’s going on in the classroom and the hard work their teacher is doing. You can also provide positive feedback and praise to the school's administration and your community.

When parents are proactive, collaborative and communicative with their child's teacher, parent-teacher partnerships can have a big impact on children’s academic success and general well-being. Your support will ensure a successful school year not just for you and your child, but also for their teacher.

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