by Sharon Jenson

Created on: May 03, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

From time to time a teacher may experience an anxious, eager parent with the best of intentions who may become involved to an extent that affects the child's learning process and possibly even the class structure. This challenge is no cause for alarm; rather it is an opportunity to help the parent and the child.

Communicating your classroom management policies, your student's needs for a consistent, undisturbed schedule and routine will clarify to the parent how his or her child spends each school day with you. You can also discuss ways the parent can assist which will additionally define the various ways of parent participation that is acceptable and welcomed. Speak clearly and often with the parent; urge the parent to volunteer in the classroom, observe, or review your lesson plan if the problem stems from an academic difficulty.

Many times a parent will address the teacher in defense of his/her child; ready to be an advocate. Once the parent is given the opportunity to be heard, often the problem can be solved with communication. It is important to listen carefully to each concern the parent brings to you and respond without a defensive tone but an understanding one. Once a parent understands that the students in the classroom all deserve a quality education and that your teaching skills allow for the demonstration of new curriculum in a variety of exciting and fun ways, the parent may be eager to hear more positive, interesting activities that take place throughout the school year.

The dialauge then turns to a description of your one-on-one time, your fun classroom activities, future plans, as well as improvements that can be made by the student, the parent, and even the teacher. Offering to assign extra homework, try a new form of communication or discipline, or even a reward for positive behavior can relieve the situation for both you and the parent. Often times a simple suggestion of some home study skills may be helpful. If the parent is not aware how to help the child study, tips that include proper study skills, websites, and extra credit can be offered.

Getting a persistent parent focused on a task or activity that is a responsibility they have especially been given, will offer a sense of contribution and control as well as feeling like an active participant. This helps for those parents who seem to enjoy frequent visits to the classroom and often share alternative suggestions for upcoming or previous events. A helping hand is not necessarily one trying to criticize or control your classroom, just in need of direction and purpose.

A "meddlesome parent" can, with patience and understanding, evolve into a helping hand and a welcome friend in the end. After all, there are so very many parents who cannot or choose not to get involved at all. Any who are can gently be guided to a useful, or at the very least, more enlightened supporter of yours for the remainder of the school year.

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