How To Create A Solution Based Approach - For Parents & Teachers
Those of us with school aged children know that balancing home and school life can be a tough nut to crack.
It doesn’t matter whether they are starting their very first year in the school system or whether they’re in high school, any year in between can be a challenge compared to what they’re used to at home.
Different environment, different rules, different problems.
Sometimes kids have problems with something at home but not at school, sometimes it's the opposite.
Let’s talk about what to do if your kiddo is experiencing a bit of an obstacle balancing their home and school life.
Stay Connected
If your child is misbehaving at home or at school, it’s time for you to do some super-star parenting!
There are lots of ways to help your child learn to following both sets of rules simultaneously.
Staying connected through constant communication is a great place to start.
Start each day with 5 minutes where 100% of your attention is spent on the child.
Snuggling for younger kids or eating breakfast with older children provides a space where you can talk about any concerns and give it all of your attention.
Be alert to signs your child may be giving you. Make sure you pay attention not only to what your child is saying, but to their emotional state as well.
If they’ve been having lots of tummy aches before school or maybe there’s even tears, you can identify they may be feeling anxious or scared. Help your kiddo express any worries and create simple plans to handle them in ways that can transfer from home life to school life.
Our kids look to us for reassurance, so while you empathise, remember to reassure that school is a safe place to practise being the best they can be, as they do at home.
If you sense a bigger issue that your child is having trouble communicating, it’s time to call the teacher or help from the school.
Teacher Talks
As the awesome parents we are, we clearly create set household routines. You can work super hard at making a safe and nurturing environment at home, but there may be something unique required of your child at school that they simply don’t feel equipped to handle.
Your child could be experiencing a bullying situation or maybe they just feel shy around so many students. Maybe the teacher is using words that your child knows is a big time no-no at home. They could be having trouble with the homework, or understanding a concept being taught. Maybe they missed a few days when an important subject was covered and they just can’t seem to catch up. Even sitting still can pose a problem for some children, and it’s possible the teacher could be viewing this as the student being disobedient or disruptive.
There are million different scenarios that could play out in their classroom.
This is why chats with the teacher are so important for you as the parent. If you’re in close communication when behavioural or other issues arise, you are much more likely to be able to see the big picture and to help your child in a timely manner.
When you see this type of scenario unfolding, have a meeting with the teacher (preferably no child) and discuss problem. Brainstorm with the child’s teacher to see if you can find solutions for what works at home and at school. Make sure to ask lots of questions be certain you both understand and have an action plan that will get results. Reassure the teacher you will ask your child about it and remind them at home.
It’s also good to have a thorough grasp of your child’s relationship with their teacher. Not everyone gets along all of the time, and this can pose a problem for your child during the school year. A mismatch in the teacher-child relationship could be causing your child to feel misunderstood or frustrated. If your kiddo feels like the teacher doesn’t like him or her, it could be super difficult for them to act & learn well.
Working with the teacher can help to improve the environment for both the student and the educator.
Follow Up
Follow up with your child’s teacher about a week later to review how the plan is working both at home and at school.
Take notes at home if it helps you to be on point when discussing results and next steps.
Be proactive about helping your child understand and follow the agreed upon plans.
Set your little one up for success by being their teammate to success!
Solutions For Home and School
Xo Lisa oX
TL;DR
Watch the video for a solution based approach for any issues
How to create solutions for home and school - learn the right approach & read the full blog post
