From my recent posts, I’m sure you noticed that I really enjoy helping others and doing random acts of kindness. So as I’ve been thinking about my teacher friends prepping for the new school year, I decided to write about how you can help your child’s teacher.

7 Ideas to Help Your Child’s Teacher

1. VOLUNTEER

Any amount of time is incredibly appreciated, even if it’s only 30 minutes. Or only once or twice per year. There are a lot of options you can do if you ask, that will fit your schedule and abilities. And it will help your child’s teacher so much! One teacher said that she will even have parents contact her at the very last minute, on the actual day they are available to volunteer. She is ALWAYS able to find something helpful for them to do.

2. COMMUNICATE

Stop in or check in with the teacher frequently and ask ANY questions you may have about your child’s education. You don’t need to wait until conferences! Keeping in close contact will not only benefit the teacher, but also you and your child. Education can work better as a team!

3. DONATE

Everyone is expected to do more with less. Budgets continue to be cut in corporations and schools alike. But the same, and even better, performance is expected. This can be tough on a teacher, who will spend their own hard earnings to provide enriching learning activities for children. So teachers are incredibly grateful for a variety of donations, such as: school supplies (pens, pencils, paper, etc.), stickers, cleaning supplies, tissues, and even small games or prizes. Remember, there is more than 1 student in each class, so it is OK to give multiples of the same item! Even the smallest donation can go a long way for a teacher.

4. ASK

If you want to donate something, but you aren’t sure what to get, just ask the teacher. I bet they have a classroom wish list that they could easily provide. Or if you want to volunteer but don’t know what to do, again, just ask! Teachers answer questions all day, they will answer yours too!

5. UNDERSTAND

Like I said in #2, education can work better as a team! It is so helpful when parents understand what an important role they actually play in their child’s education. Hold kids responsible for their homework and behavior. Even go a step further, and check their homework. These actions help to reinforce what they are learning from the teacher. It helps the teacher to stay on pace with the curriculum and not have to spend so much time reviewing previous lessons with students. Understand that kids learn from parents too, so it’s helpful to set an example and stress the importance of education to your kids.

6. BE INVOLVED

Attend school functions. Attend parent-teacher conferences. Or like I mentioned in #1, volunteer! Again, these actions help show children that their education is important, not just to them, but to you too. This might help children enjoy school more and be more willing to learn, which in turn reduces some challenges teachers may face while teaching the class.

7. KIND WORDS

You don’t have to spend money or a lot of time to help your child’s teacher. Even just a few kind words or a thank-you card will go a long way! They probably don’t hear these enough. In fact, we ALL deserve kind words, so use them freely and frequently in your daily life!

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