A new school year has started for most of our children, and this is going to be a very different year for many parents and their students. Some states and schools have re-instated mask mandates, required COVID vaccines for those old enough to receive them, and some parents may still be schooling their kids remotely or homeschooling them.

The pandemic has us all exhausted, stressed out, and unsure of how to proceed when it comes to some things, and school is no exception.

Communication is key, and more parents and teachers will be communicating now more than ever as things change every day it seems.

In previous years, frequently communicating with teachers may not have been as necessary unless a problem arose that needed to be discussed. Issues such as behavioral problems, learning difficulties, or your child getting behind with class work, may have warranted a talk with their teacher so you could work as a team to ensure the success of your child’s education, but this year's concerns will likely be different.

 

Here are a few tips on how to practice effective communication with your child’s teacher and other school personnel:

 

• Sign up for a tour of the school, or an orientation where you and your child can meet those involved in their education and you know who to contact if problems arise.

• If you need more than 5 or 10 minutes to speak with the school personnel, consider making an appointment so that you can have a meeting with them that can go a little below the surface and be respectful of your child’s teacher’s or principal’s time.

• Understand school personnel may be swamped with work and busy schedules, especially in the beginning of the school year where everything is getting shuffled around and things are getting settled. Be patient with them, and be kind to them.

 

For more information and tips on how to communicate effectively with school personnel, refer to the Healthy Children article here.