We’re in the trenches with our kids everyday. Sharing our perspective on them as people and as learners opens the door to a partnership with their teachers. Because after all, we’re in this learning thing together.  

How does this help my kid?

Parents and teachers are partners in educating our kids. That glimpse you’ve had behind the curtain of how your kid learns can only help their teacher develop individual strategies to not only teach them, but to give them a sense of belonging in the classroom.

How to do this with my kid?

Flip the script on the parent/teacher conference and share back who your kid is at home and what you’ve observed about how they learn. Use the Parent-to-Teacher Letter (below) as a way to tell your teachers about the skills and habits your kid is developing. It’s your opportunity to talk about how they respond to challenges.

• Take a moment to reflect on who your kid is. Reflection involves contemplating and analyzing events and actions. It gives the brain the opportunity to untangle and sort out observations and experiences that can ultimately lead to future growth and development.
• Record what you notice about how your kid learns. Don’t wait until right before the new school year. It’s important to document each experience while it’s fresh in your mind because those memories won’t be as accurate in a month or two. Use your responses to these questions to inform their teacher.
  • What did my kid learn about themselves?
  • What new interests did they explore while at home?
  • What did they learn about themselves or the family?
• Discuss the habits and skills you’re observing your kid develop. The 16 Habits of Success are the measurable outcomes that matter most if we want our kids to be prepared for a fulfilled life.
  • Which habits did your kid develop?
  • Which do you hope they continue to develop?
• Talk about the passions and interests they’re discovering. Where has their curiosity taken them? If they’ve designed projects to explore a passion, take photos and send them along. Or better yet, send the project in to display in the classroom.
• Talk about the passions and interests they’re discovering. Where has their curiosity taken them? If they’ve designed projects to explore a passion, take photos and send them along. Or better yet, send the project in to display in the classroom.
• What about their small wins, those steps forward that added up to great progress in learning? Document those so their teacher can remind them how they responded to a learning challenge in the past when faced with a new one.
• It’s not only about the successes.  Let the teacher know what keeps you up at night. Partnering involves vulnerability and openness. Be honest. These insights will benefit your kid as you, your kid and their teacher work together to address concerns.
• Pinpoint the areas where you’ve realized your child needs more help. Then ask the teacher if they observe the same thing. 

Review and update the Parent-to-Teacher letter periodically as you see your kid grow and develop as a learner. Make it a regular practice to give updated information to your kid’s teacher. It’ll be more than a valuable record of who your kid is. Sharing this insight conveys to the teacher your respect, appreciation, and gratitude for the work they do every day.

 Here’s a sample Parent-to-Teacher Letter.