Parent-teacher dynamics

First impressions count, so don't wait for problems to occur before you make yourself known to your child's teacher. A friendly first meeting can go a long way to setting the groundwork for a positive partnership.

By Week Two the class has settled into a routine and the organizational chaos of opening week is over. This is a perfect time to drop by for a quick introduction. The best time to visit is at the end of the school day as the last student walks out the door. Keep the conversation friendly and the meeting brief. Chances are the teacher will have a staff meeting to attend or another appointment to keep. Find out what the best time of day is for you to contact her in the future. If you're able to volunteer in the classroom, let her know.

Become familiar with the teacher
Make it a habit to talk to the teacher regularly. There will be several opportunities to visit your child's classroom during the school year, but if you want the teacher's undivided attention, schedule an individual meeting. At open houses and parent nights, the teacher has to make herself available to many parents. It's not an appropriate time for you to have a serious individual discussion with her about your son's learning difficulties. You might contact your child's teacher when:
• good things happen. Your daughter comes home from school excited because she got an A on her book report and she was asked to read it to the class. Call her teacher to say how happy your child was to be rewarded for her efforts.
• a child is disciplined. Your daughter complains that she was unfairly sent to the principal's office for bad behaviour. Call her teacher to get the full account.
• a child is unhappy or fearful in school Your son says the teacher is picking on him and doesn't like him. Does the teacher know your child feels this way?
• there's a crisis in the family, such as the death of a family member, or your separation or divorce. Things that disrupt family life at home may affect your child's schoolwork. Let the teacher know so that she can help your child cope.

If you would like more information about what's happening in your child's classroom and how he's handling his schoolwork, don't wait for a problem to occur or for the first scheduled parent-teacher interview. Do wait, however, until the second month of school. By that time, the teacher will know more about your child and how he's managing. Request a 30-minute interview. Let her know you would like to find out more about the curriculum and the learning resources being used and how your child participates in class activities.