Parents often wonder when and how to approach their child's teacher if their child seems unhappy or not challenged in the classroom.
"While there is no single recipe for how parents should develop a mutually supportive relationship with their child's teacher, there are some processes and best practices parents can implement as they work to bring changes to their child's educational experiences.
Difficulties parents often have in communicating with their child's school can be avoided by understanding the chain of command, doing advanced research and planning, and staying open-minded to solutions.
How to Get Started
1. Always start with your child's classroom teacher. If the teacher perceives you've spoken to other teachers or to the principal before speaking with them, you'll start off on the wrong foot.
2. Do your homework! Talk with your child, make a list of your child's concerns (be as specific as possible), discuss various alternatives with your child, find samples of your child's work, understand your child's strengths and weaknesses, and know typical gifted terms and program options before contacting the teacher.
3. Want to know more? Read the entire Parent Sheet on Advocacy by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).
Additional Resources
Plucker, J. (2020). Advocating for Your Gifted Child. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Smutny, J. (2020). Communicating Effectively with your Gifted Child’s School. NAGC.