You want your child and her teacher to hit it off. The good news: You can help! Make it easier for a teacher to foster a positive relationship with your child by giving him or her the inside scoop on your little learner's likes, dislikes, and special needs. (You can also show your child what to expect at school with these books about kindergarten or books about elementary school.) Write down the following information and send it to the teacher, and for more school tips, check out our comprehensive grade guides.
- Favorite Subjects: Point out the subjects that set your child's brain on fire so her teacher knows how to engage her mind and keep her challenged in those areas.
- Difficult Subjects: Knowing beforehand what subjects give your child trouble allows his teacher to pay special attention to those areas and look for ways to improve comprehension.
- Allergies: It's essential for your child's teacher to know about any food or other allergies and how serious they are.
- Medical Conditions: Inform your child's teacher if your child has a medical condition that might require special attention, such as asthma or diabetes, or if he takes medication for behavioral or physical conditions.
- After-school Activities: Explain the kinds of things your child is involved in when school lets out so the teacher understands all that goes on in your child's daily life.
- Religion: If your family practices a religion that requires your child to miss school, dress a certain way, or not eat particular foods, make sure to inform the teacher.
- Family Issues: If there's a new baby, death in the family, or divorce, it may affect your child in the classroom, so keep the teacher updated about what's going on at home.
- Sensitive Areas: Alert the teacher if your child is self-conscious about her weight or appearance, if she's shy or stutters, or is particularly afraid of something, so he can be aware and avoid potential trouble.
- Hobbies & Interests: If your child is mad about music, loves llamas, or has a passion for pro basketball, the teacher may be able to tap into that interest in the classroom.
- Temperament: Let the teacher know if your child tends to be cranky in the afternoon, get frustrated by art projects, or hates to take naps. Mention any tried-and-true methods you've already discovered for dealing with less-than-ideal behavior.
MORE: You can also help your child fill out this printable All About Me Robot poster or this printable All About Me Minibook.
Want more book and reading ideas? Sign up for our Scholastic Parents newsletter.
