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Ten Things Teachers Want You to Know
By Mimi Doe
Many teachers have written to me over the years, frustrated with how
unprepared their students are—and they don't mean academically.
Chris, a kindergarten teacher, wrote what many teachers have
expressed, "I would love it if you could write a 10 tips for parents to
help us teachers do our increasingly demanding job. Many parents of
children I teach have left the job of spiritual, character, and
social/emotional education to me. I can't do it all in addition to
teaching academic skills. I'm getting burned out and pretty soon won't
have the energy left to nourish one child let alone 25."
So here goes—my 10 tips:
1. Create a smooth takeoff each day. Give your child a hug
before she ventures out the door and you head to work. Look her in
the eye, and tell her how proud you are of her. Your child's self-
confidence and security will help her do well both in school and in life.
2. Prepare for a happy landing at the end of the day when
you reconvene. Create a predictable ritual such as 10–20 minutes
listening to your child talk about his day—before you check phone
messages, read the mail, or begin dinner. That way you are fully
present to listen, and your child has a touchstone he can count on
between school and home.
3. Fill your child's lunchbox with healthy snacks and lunches.
Have dinner at a reasonable hour and a healthy breakfast. A well-
balanced diet maximizes your child's learning potential.
4. Include calm, peaceful times in your children's afternoons
and evenings. Maintain a schedule that allows them to go to school
rested, and if they are sick, have a system in place so they are able to
stay home.
5. Remember it's your children's homework, not yours. Create
a specific homework space that's clutter-free and quiet. Encourage
editing and double-checking work, but allow your kids to make
mistakes, as it's the only way teachers can gauge if they understand the
material. It's also how children learn responsibility for the quality of
their work.
6. Fill your child's life with a love for learning by showing him
your own curiosity, respecting his questions, and encouraging his
efforts.
7. Fill your home with books to read, books simply to look
at, and books that provide answers to life's many questions.
The public or school library is an excellent resource.
8. Be a partner with your child's teacher. When you need to
speak to him or her in reference to a specific issue with your child, do
it privately, not in front of your child. Make a point never to criticize
your child's teacher in front of your child.
9. Set up a system where routine items are easily located—
such as backpacks, shoes, signed notices. Create a central
calendar for upcoming events to avoid the unexpected.
10. Tuck a "love note" in your child's lunch bag to let her
know how special she is. Knowing they are loved makes it easier
for children to be kind to others.
Mimi Doe is an expert on parenting and can be reached through www.
spiritualparenting.com/mimi.
Article appears courtesy of Mimi Doe and the National PTA.
By Mimi Doe
Many teachers have written to me over the years, frustrated with how
unprepared their students are—and they don't mean academically.
Chris, a kindergarten teacher, wrote what many teachers have
expressed, "I would love it if you could write a 10 tips for parents to
help us teachers do our increasingly demanding job. Many parents of
children I teach have left the job of spiritual, character, and
social/emotional education to me. I can't do it all in addition to
teaching academic skills. I'm getting burned out and pretty soon won't
have the energy left to nourish one child let alone 25."
So here goes—my 10 tips:
1. Create a smooth takeoff each day. Give your child a hug
before she ventures out the door and you head to work. Look her in
the eye, and tell her how proud you are of her. Your child's self-
confidence and security will help her do well both in school and in life.
2. Prepare for a happy landing at the end of the day when
you reconvene. Create a predictable ritual such as 10–20 minutes
listening to your child talk about his day—before you check phone
messages, read the mail, or begin dinner. That way you are fully
present to listen, and your child has a touchstone he can count on
between school and home.
3. Fill your child's lunchbox with healthy snacks and lunches.
Have dinner at a reasonable hour and a healthy breakfast. A well-
balanced diet maximizes your child's learning potential.
4. Include calm, peaceful times in your children's afternoons
and evenings. Maintain a schedule that allows them to go to school
rested, and if they are sick, have a system in place so they are able to
stay home.
5. Remember it's your children's homework, not yours. Create
a specific homework space that's clutter-free and quiet. Encourage
editing and double-checking work, but allow your kids to make
mistakes, as it's the only way teachers can gauge if they understand the
material. It's also how children learn responsibility for the quality of
their work.
6. Fill your child's life with a love for learning by showing him
your own curiosity, respecting his questions, and encouraging his
efforts.
7. Fill your home with books to read, books simply to look
at, and books that provide answers to life's many questions.
The public or school library is an excellent resource.
8. Be a partner with your child's teacher. When you need to
speak to him or her in reference to a specific issue with your child, do
it privately, not in front of your child. Make a point never to criticize
your child's teacher in front of your child.
9. Set up a system where routine items are easily located—
such as backpacks, shoes, signed notices. Create a central
calendar for upcoming events to avoid the unexpected.
10. Tuck a "love note" in your child's lunch bag to let her
know how special she is. Knowing they are loved makes it easier
for children to be kind to others.
Mimi Doe is an expert on parenting and can be reached through www.
spiritualparenting.com/mimi.
Article appears courtesy of Mimi Doe and the National PTA.
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