Ask the teacher to check off the behaviors and strategies he thinks are most important to address before the meeting. (If your child has more than one core teacher, make sure that all teachers can attend and that each has a copy of the document in advance.) A teacher needs time to process what you have written and to formulate his own suggestions. Send the cover sheet and checklist to the teacher, along with a note requesting a brief meeting-no more than 30 minutes. Especially important is a section on the last page called “What We Will Do at Home to Support Our Child.” This demonstrates that you are not just handing over a list of things you expect him to do, but you are committing your own time and effort to a long-term plan. The checklist delineates for the teacher what you know about your child and what has worked. The checklist itself has two headings-”When You See This” and “Try These.” Your job is to assess your child’s academic difficulties honestly and to list, specifically, how you, or previous teachers, have dealt with them.įor instance, under “difficulty following a plan,” possible strategies include “set long-term goals,” “break the goal into realistic steps toward attaining it,” and “use visual organizers.” Explain that, as he grows, so will his abilities. Children often need help recognizing their strengths, and encouragement to stay focused. Talk about his favorite activities and what motivates him. Tell your child what he does well and how much you value him. The cover sheet will create the initial impression of your child for teachers, principals, or coaches, so keep your statements upbeat and affirmative. The categories include Best Qualities, Strengths, Favorite Activities, Motivators, Interpersonal Skills, and Three Most Important Things to Know About My Child.
List your child’s skills and passions on the cover sheet (see a sample below). The home/school checklist is especially useful at the beginning of the academic year, but can be used at any point during the semester with good results.
The checklist may also prompt the teacher to share classroom strategies that can help at home. This handy tool works in several ways: It facilitates communication between you and the teacher, and it sends the message that you are a valuable resource and part of the team. It requires you to identify academic shortfalls-everything from difficulty in completing assignments to poor handwriting-and the strategies you’re taking, or have taken, to solve them. Developed by the Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota, the document serves as an MRI of your child’s learning profile. What’s the best way to convey your insights and practical knowledge to her teacher?įor many parents, the home/school checklist has been the answer. No one-coach, teacher, or therapist-knows more about her strengths, her passions, or her dreams than you do. As a parent of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you are the best expert on helping her succeed at school.
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