No products in the cart.
The new school year has begun and you’re thinking that there may be a way to improve your child’s experience. There could be a myriad of reasons for your decision to advocate for your child at school and partnering with teachers and the administration could seem like a daunting task, especially because emotions can get the best of us if we are concerned about our child. Here are some practical, solution-oriented suggestions for parents and families to use when advocating for your child at school. As a teacher and administrator, I have seen some incredible success stories when parents, teachers, and administrators work to create a thinking-together approach to helping children have the best experience they can at school.
1. Understand your child’s challenges
To best advocate for your child, it is good to have some specific examples and observations of what the problem could be. Talk to your child, take notes that include time, date’s as well as any other details, such as diet, medications, or additional impactful information such as IEPS, with as much specifics as you can provide the teacher and administration will be useful in ways to solve the problem with the best outcomes for you child.
2. Partner with your child’s school
It can feel awkward and uncomfortable approaching your child’s teacher or school director about a perceived problem. However, there are ways to make it less so, for example, lead with a direct approach. I know we live in an age of email, but sometimes a more personal, one on one discussion can be beneficial, especially in the beginning. It could start as a simple, “I have noticed this about my child at home, have you observed this at school as well? or, I would love to connect with you about my child, they are having some challenges and I would benefit from your input” these are just examples, but they illustrate a collaborative approach, that is respectful with an emphasis of a being team, as the saying goes; teamwork makes the dream work!
3. Listen to your child’s teacher
Listen and be open to what your child’s teacher has to say. They have a perspective you may not have considered, and children can behave differently at home than at school. Your child’s teacher has a unique understanding of your child in a different environment than home, a school environment can offer different situations and routines, some of which can trigger your child. Listening to what the teacher is observing can be key to unlocking the solution for your child if we get defensive with the school it can be counterproductive, try practicing active listening at these times.
4. Understand your child’s rights
Understand your child’s rights to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Advocate for your child by staying updated about your school’s legal obligations to give your child an evaluation and other services. Connect with your local parent group or agency about finding a parent advocate to help navigate important meetings if you feel overwhelmed.
5. Stay connected
Keep calm and stay connected with regular communication with your child’s teaching team. It’s important that there is an understanding that the solution to challenges your child may face take time to manifest, consistent and calm communication with your child’s teacher and administrator becomes key. Ask questions, share what works for you at home and be open to try strategies that are suggested by the teacher as well. Also, check in with your child and get their feedback about what works for them too. This collaborative approach can be very effective when advocating for your child at school because when we can think together about solutions to challenges our children face, the child benefits and we do too!
Written by Vanessa Fontana-Berul M.Ed.
Additional Resources:
