Vol. 3, No. 1 • Fall 1998

How to Know When to Call
Your Child's Teacher
by Karen DeBord

Sometimes children give us clues to let us know that something is bothering them. Do your children:

• Complain about school or say that they are sick and they don't want to go to school?
• Whine, cry, or act unusually cranky before school?
• Say they have no friends at school or that others tease them?

Then it might be time to touch base with the teacher. It is also good to tell the teacher when there are changes happening at home. This helps the teacher know that there is something going on that may distract the child. Send a short note if:

• You are going out of town for a few days.
• Something at home changes, whether it's a birth or a death in the family, a separation, or any other stressful event.
• Your child was up late or seems to be getting sick.

You are your child's best spokesperson
Sometimes children and teens don't really know themselves what is wrong or what to do about their feelings. And when you ask, "How was your day?" they end the conversation quickly with "Fine." How can you find out how their day went or get them to talk to you?

• Ask questions that do not have simple "yes" and "no" answers.
• Ask about something specific: Who did you eat lunch with? Who did you play with outside? Did you have music class? Did anything funny happen today?
• Take a few quiet minutes just before bedtime to tell your child how proud you are of him or her.

Karen DeBord is a child development specialist with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

From the North Carolina Parenting Education Network's newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 1. Used with permission.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families