What to tell your child's teacher

Early on in your child’s transition to school is a great time to tell the teacher the wealth of information you have about your child. You can fast track the getting to know each other process by providing valuable insight about your child, and it starts a positive partnership between home and school. 

Most schools offer individual parent-teacher interviews or ‘Meet the teacher’ events soon after your child has begun school. Hopefully this is offered to you, but if not, do request a 10min chat after school one day with your child’s teacher. Best if you email them to book in a time - it’s tricky for teachers to talk in the mornings when they’re needing to be with the children, and after school they often have staff meetings. (Anytime you need to meet with the teacher, an organised time is always appreciated!) 

This is by no means an exhaustive list but here are some ideas of what you could note down to share.

• Who is at home with your child - family circumstances (separated parents/new partner/grandparents living with you/step siblings on alternate weeks, one parent works night shift etc.)

• Special needs or learning difficulties your child may have or concerns you’d like the teacher to observe. 

• Any particular worries your child has told you about, or if there’s something sensitive they may be embarrassed or scared about, or things you know could be a problem. E.g. takes time to warm up and prefers to observe from a distance before joining in. 

• After school schedule (specific activities they do, after school care or who looks after them in the afternoons).

• Cultural or religious beliefs and traditions that can be incorporated into the classroom for all to learn and benefit from (e.g. a particular festival/celebration) or if there are sensitive things that the teacher should be aware of. 

• Their interests, passions, what do they love to play and talk about? What lights them up? Share about their personality, temperament, their quirks, strengths and what you hope they will bring to the class.

• If someone in your extended family is unwell or going on a work trip overseas… Some kind of change that the teacher should be aware of and can support them or at least show compassion if they’re upset or behaving differently. 

• Medical information if they have high health needs or allergies. Toileting issues, special equipment they need.

‘Matchmake’ your child to their teacher. Say something they’re enjoying about being in that teacher’s classroom or something they like about the teacher they might have commented on. Positive feedback like this can really make the teacher’s day and they will definitely have a special smile for your child! 

It will be early days so possibly too soon to know for sure, but if your teacher mentions any names of other children that they’ve been working or playing with… take note and possibly organise a playdate or to meet up in a playground after school. Nurturing friendships right from the start has such a positive impact on your child’s wellbeing and sense of belonging within the school. 

So make the most of the opportunity to meet the teacher, enjoy a friendly and open conversation, and share the wealth of knowledge you have about your child.