by Marlene Gundlach

Created on: May 25, 2008   Last Updated: June 13, 2008

When your child struggles in school, your first instinct is always to step in and help. But, often you don't know where to begin. Whether it is homework or a bullying issue, talking with your child's teacher is always a good first step. She will have a first hand account of what is happening at school and what if any steps have already been taken to help fix the problem. You should also talk with your child to get his/her point of view. Often, a teacher may feel she has a take on the situation, but things can happen at school that a teacher is not aware of.

If completing homework is the issue, make note of what in particular your child is struggling with. Do not go to the teacher with a vague problem such as "My child has too much homework." Teachers hear that all of the time. Is there subject or skill that your child struggles with in particular? Maybe there are certain nights of the week where your family has many extra-curricular activities planned and completing homework on those nights is near impossible. Whatever the case may be, take some specific notes on where the problem is and make an appointment to meet with the teacher. Do not stop in to the classroom unannounced, and do not wait until parent-teacher conferences are scheduled. Address the problem when it arises. As a teacher, I would become frustrated when a parent came in for conferences in the spring wanting to address a problem with homework that has existed since the fall.

Maybe your child has come home complaining about a specific student in the class. If bullying is a concern, do not hesitate to take up the issue with the teacher. Again, get some specifics from your child regarding situations with this particular child. Do not just go into a meeting with the teacher saying that your child does not like another child. Find out when the problems are happening and exactly what the issues are. Is it a verbal problem or is the bully becoming physical? Is it happening in the classroom, on the playground, or on the bus? Often, bullying will take place outside of the classroom where supervision is not as strict. When this is the case, the teacher can bring in other staff members to help tackle the problem. Schools today do not take bullying lightly, and parents need to treat it with the same urgency.

No matter the problem, get the facts and allow the teacher to partner with you to find a solution. When your child sees you taking an interest in his/her education and the teacher knows that you want to be involved, most issues can be overcome. Opening up the lines of communication at home and with your child's teacher will benefit everyone and make the school year more successful.

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