Having a relationship of mutual respect with your child’s teacher, education assistants (EAs) and other staff at their school can help make your child’s education journey a smoother and more fulfilling experience for everyone involved.
For parents and carers of a child with disability, building on this relationship is especially important. This will help you feel more confident to address any issues you may have in the future and ensure that your child is receiving the supports they need to thrive at school.
It can be difficult to know how to start building those relationships but it’s never too late. The Kiind team have put together some practical tips to help guide you.
Schedule an initial meeting
Start by arranging a one-on-one meeting with your child’s teacher either before the terms starts or within the first few weeks if possible. This initial discussion will give you the opportunity to share important information about your child and what supports they need both in and out of the classroom. This helps set a precedent for open communication throughout the school year.
Participate in school events
From morning teas, open days, assemblies, excursions, and more, there’s always something going on at school. These activities are perfect for engaging with school staff in a more casual setting. Attending these activities when you can helps foster connection with the school community and show support for your child.
Create a social story
To help your child adjust to the new school year and environment, you can ask the school to provide a social story or create one yourself. The social story can include information about the classroom and the names of their teacher and EAs with photos.
Help staff understand your child
If you feel comfortable sharing, provide your child’s teacher and EAs with a brief blurb about your child and family. This can include details such as your child’s likes and dislikes, their sensory needs, special interests, communication needs. You may also like to include a behaviour support plan detailing your child’s stressors to avoid and calming strategies.
There are many free ‘About Me’ templates available to download. Check this one out from the Association of Children with Disability (ACD).
Engage in quick chats
Take advantage of pick-up and drop-off times for quick chats with your child’s teacher or EAs. For more detailed conversations, you can arrange phone appointments or send emails. These interactions help maintain an open line of communication and ensure you’re up to date with your child’s progress.
Stay updated with school communication
Keep track of school and classroom communications through the school app or communication book. Each school and class may use different methods, so familiarise yourself with how information is shared and make sure you’re accessing it regularly.
Collaborate with the school and therapists
Work with your child’s school and therapists to create a cohesive support plan. This collaboration ensures that everyone involved in your child’s education is on the same page and can provide consistent support in line with your child’s goals.
Share relevant resources
If you have any information or resources related to your child’s diagnosis, you may consider sharing them with the school . This will help your child’s teacher and EAs to understand them better and inform their teaching strategies.
Ask questions
Don’t hesitate to ask questions if something is unclear or if you need more information. Whether it’s about classroom activities or your child’s learning progress, asking questions demonstrates your involvement to the school and helps you stay informed.
Provide and request feedback
Regularly provide constructive feedback to your child’s teacher about their experiences and progress. Similarly, ask for feedback from the teacher to understand how your child is doing in school and if there are areas where additional support might be needed.
Schedule regular check-ins
Set up regular check-ins and updates with your child’s teacher and EAs to discuss your child’s progress or any concerns you may have. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of these discussions. This consistent communication helps build a strong partnership between you and the school and ensures that you have a forum to address any issues.
Share specialist reports
Send over reports from your child’s specialists or therapists that may be useful to the school. The findings in these reports can be valuable to help your child’s teacher and EAs understand and address your child’s support needs in the classroom.
Each step is one closer to a respectful and productive relationship with your child’s school. This helps ensure a more positive education experience for your child and entire family.
If you need additional support with your child’s education journey, our Peer Navigators are here to assist you. You’re welcome to book a free, one-on-one Pathway Planning session with us to discuss any other issues you may be navigating. Click here to book a Pathway Planning session with us.
In the meantime, if you’re seeking more information on education or other topics relevant to your child, see our information resources here.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
