How parents can help teachers so their kids do better in school

help teachers
Parents should help teachers for the mutual benefit of the child. Source: Shutterstock

When it comes to a child’s learning and development, much of the burden falls on teachers. While teachers are responsible for students when they’re at school, parents are the primary influencers of children and also play a part in ensuring they get the most out of their education.

Rather than finding fault with teaching methods or putting pressure on them when their child doesn’t do well in school, parents can help teachers by supporting them and working as a team.

In an open letter on BoredTeachers, teacher Adam Hatch wrote, “You are the original teachers of our students, and your attitudes towards education, learning, and school are going to rub off on your kids. As such, the quality of our days is dependent on your leadership at home. In other words, we need you to get it together – we need your help.”

Working as a team can greatly help teachers


It’s often ineffective when a parent goes against a teacher, and sometimes parents need reminding that they’re actually on the same team.

Parents and teachers should work together for the mutual benefit of the child. Instead of accusing a teacher when something goes wrong, they can approach the matter as a team.

Hatch wrote, “If we give your student a bad grade, don’t accuse us of being bullies – that is meant to inform you that your student needs to make some changes.

“If we say something in class you disagree with, instead of accusing us of not knowing what we’re talking about and calling for our jobs, try to understand what we said and the context in which we included it in our lessons.”

Setting a good example at home


A teacher can only manage a child during regular school hours. What happens at home is out of the teacher’s control, but can greatly impact their ability to teach them effectively.

Kids mirror their parents’ behaviors and use them as a model for how they should act and communicate with their peers and teachers.

If a parent often reacts to a negative situation in a confrontational manner, it’s highly likely that their child will do the same.

Teachers get a lot of flak for being unable to manage a difficult child or a child who bullies others in class, but the root of the problem typically lies at home.

The same goes with their everyday habits. Hatch wrote, “If you never pick up a book, never ask about homework, and watch TV at every meal, your kids will act the same. But the converse is also true – if you read before bed, talk about what happened at school, and put the screens down in the evening, your kids will follow your lead.

“Parents who are engaged, concerned and aware create students who are also engaged, interested, and attentive. Please help every teacher your kids will ever have by modeling the kind of behavior and attitude you expect your children to display at school.”

By modelling good behavior at home, parents help teachers by showing their kids the proper way to behave in school and build good habits such as completing their homework and assignments.

Keeping on top of their learning

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Parents can help teachers by keeping track of their child’s learning progress. Source: Shutterstock

Parents must help teachers by being more involved in their child’s learning. Teachers only have a few hours in a day to educate students, and that time is split between many other students.

It’s the parent’s responsibility to ensure their kids aren’t falling behind by monitoring their homework, getting them extra tutoring if necessary, or getting them up to speed with special classes during the summer.

But it’s important for parents to avoid ‘helicopter parenting’ so kids can learn from their own mistakes.

According to ReadingRockets, “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.”

Knowing when to get involved and when to take a step back allows your child to learn independently and helps teachers figure out what they need to focus on when it comes to teaching your child.

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