What helpful things should you tell your child's teacher?
The class teacher is the person to talk to if you are concerned about your child's progress at school. Try to arrange to meet when you both have time to discuss fully your concerns. Think carefully before the meeting about the things you would like to tell your child's teacher. Make some notes and plan the questions that you would like to ask. Use this check list to help you:-
Ask yourself:-
- What does your child enjoy doing?
- What is your child good at?
- What do you feel concerned about?
- When did you first feel concerned about your child?
- How does your child feel about school?
- Does anyone else in your family have similar difficulties?
- Have you had your child's hearing/eyesight checked?
- Have you any concerns about your child's health?
- Have you had any advice or help about your child's needs from anyone else?
- Is there anything happening at home that could be bothering your child?
- What is your child's behaviour like at home?
- What else would you like to tell the teacher about your child's learning?
- What do you think the school can do?
If you can share your answers to these questions with the teacher it will help him/her to understand your concerns. Sometimes a child can behave quite differently at school and at home. You may wish to show the teacher your child's Personal Child Health Record (Red Book). This information will help the teacher to build up a more complete picture of your child. It may be useful to jot in a diary anything that you feel is important. The school will keep records too.
Prepare for the meeting beforehand by:-
- reading the Special Educational Needs Guide for Parents and Carers (ask at school for a copy if you have not already had one)
- thinking whether you would like a friend or Independent Parental Supporter see page 20 for details) to come to the meeting with you
- making a list of all your concerns
- writing down the questions you would like to ask
- talking to your child about the meeting to find out his/her views about how things are going at school
- discussing with the teacher whether it would be best for your child to be at the meeting
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Page Last Updated: 22 April 2002
