How To Describe Your Child To A Teacher

How to Describe Your Child to a Teacher: A Parent's Guide to Effective Communication

Introduction:

The first day of school – a whirlwind of emotions for both parents and children. But before the bell rings, there's a crucial step often overlooked: effectively communicating your child's individual needs and learning style to their teacher. This isn't just about listing accomplishments; it's about painting a complete picture that helps the teacher understand your child's strengths, weaknesses, and unique personality. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the tools and strategies to describe your child to a teacher in a way that fosters a successful and supportive learning environment. We'll cover everything from preparing beforehand to crafting concise and impactful descriptions, ensuring your child thrives throughout the school year.


1. Preparing for the Conversation: Gathering Essential Information

Before you even sit down with the teacher, take some time for thoughtful reflection. Don't just rely on gut feeling; gather concrete examples. Consider these aspects:

Academic Strengths and Weaknesses: Don't just say "He's good at math." Instead, say, "He excels at problem-solving in math, especially geometry, but struggles with memorizing formulas. He benefits from visual aids and hands-on activities." Be specific and provide examples.
Learning Style and Preferences: Does your child learn best through visual aids, auditory instruction, kinesthetic activities, or a combination? Mention preferred learning methods. For example, "She's a very visual learner; diagrams and charts help her grasp concepts more easily."
Social and Emotional Development: Describe your child's social interactions. Are they outgoing and collaborative, or more introverted and independent? Do they easily make friends? Do they need extra support with emotional regulation? Be honest and transparent, emphasizing positive aspects while acknowledging areas for growth. Mention any social anxieties or sensitivities.
Specific Needs and Challenges: This is crucial. If your child has any diagnosed learning differences (like ADHD, dyslexia, or autism), clearly communicate these to the teacher, along with any accommodations or strategies that have proven successful. If there are any health concerns impacting their learning, such as allergies or medical conditions, be sure to mention them. Provide relevant documentation if necessary.
Interests and Hobbies: Understanding your child's passions can help the teacher connect with them on a personal level. Mention their hobbies, extracurricular activities, and anything that sparks their enthusiasm. This can be used to enhance their learning experience.


2. Structuring Your Description: Clarity and Conciseness are Key

When you meet with the teacher, aim for a concise and well-organized description. Avoid rambling or overwhelming the teacher with excessive information. Consider using a structured approach:

Begin with the Positive: Start by highlighting your child's strengths and positive attributes. This sets a positive tone for the conversation.
Address Challenges Respectfully: When discussing challenges, frame them constructively, focusing on how the teacher can support your child’s growth. Avoid blaming or overly criticizing.
Use Specific Examples: Back up your statements with concrete examples. Instead of saying "He's easily distracted," say "He sometimes gets distracted during group activities, but focuses well when working independently on projects."
Collaborate, Don't Dictate: The goal is to partner with the teacher, not to tell them how to do their job. Present your observations as valuable information to help them better understand your child.
Focus on Solutions: Instead of just identifying problems, suggest potential solutions or strategies that have worked well in the past. This shows initiative and a willingness to work collaboratively.


3. Choosing the Right Communication Method: In-Person vs. Written

The best communication method depends on your child's age and your relationship with the teacher. Consider these options:

In-Person Meeting: An in-person meeting allows for immediate feedback and a more personal connection. It's ideal for establishing rapport and discussing complex issues.
Written Summary: A written summary is useful for providing detailed information that might be difficult to cover in a brief meeting. This allows the teacher time to review the information thoroughly.
Combination Approach: A combination of both methods is often the most effective. A brief in-person meeting can lay the groundwork, followed by a written summary with more detailed information.


4. Following Up and Maintaining Communication:

Describing your child is just the first step. Maintaining open communication with the teacher throughout the year is essential. Regularly check in with the teacher to discuss your child's progress, address any concerns, and celebrate successes. This consistent communication helps create a strong partnership that benefits your child's educational journey.


Article Outline:

Title: How to Describe Your Child to a Teacher: A Parent's Guide to Effective Communication

Introduction: Hook, overview of the guide.
Chapter 1: Preparing for the Conversation: Gathering Essential Information (Academic Strengths/Weaknesses, Learning Style, Social/Emotional Development, Specific Needs, Interests/Hobbies)
Chapter 2: Structuring Your Description: Clarity and Conciseness (Positive Start, Addressing Challenges, Specific Examples, Collaboration, Solutions)
Chapter 3: Choosing the Right Communication Method: In-Person vs. Written (Advantages/Disadvantages of each)
Chapter 4: Following Up and Maintaining Communication (Regular check-ins, addressing concerns, celebrating successes)
Conclusion: Recap of key points, encouragement for proactive communication.
FAQs
Related Articles


(The above detailed explanation of each point is provided in the main body of the article above.)


FAQs:

1. What if my child has a learning disability? How do I approach this topic with the teacher? Provide documentation and be prepared to discuss specific strategies that have proven effective. Focus on your child's strengths and how the teacher can support their learning style.

2. My child is shy. How can I help the teacher understand this without making them feel judged? Emphasize your child's strengths in other areas, and mention strategies you use at home to encourage social interaction. Suggest ways the teacher can help your child feel comfortable and supported in the classroom.

3. How much detail is too much detail when describing my child to a teacher? Focus on relevant information that will help the teacher understand your child's needs and learning style. Avoid overwhelming the teacher with unnecessary details.

4. What if the teacher doesn't seem to understand my concerns? Request a follow-up meeting to discuss your concerns in more detail. Consider writing a summary of your observations and suggestions.

5. Should I share my child's medical information with the teacher? Share any information relevant to their learning or behavior, ensuring you have appropriate consent and are complying with privacy regulations (HIPAA, FERPA, etc.).

6. How can I make sure the teacher remembers what I've told them? Provide a written summary of key points. Follow up with an email confirming your conversation and any agreed-upon strategies.

7. Is it okay to ask the teacher for specific feedback on my child’s performance? Yes, regular communication about your child’s progress is essential for a strong parent-teacher partnership.

8. My child is highly gifted. How should I communicate this to the teacher? Provide evidence of your child’s advanced skills and interests. Suggest ways the teacher can challenge and engage them appropriately.

9. What if I disagree with the teacher's approach to my child’s education? Engage in respectful dialogue, exploring potential compromises and solutions. If necessary, seek mediation from school administrators.


Related Articles:

1. Effective Communication Strategies for Parents and Teachers: This article will delve deeper into various communication techniques that foster a strong partnership between parents and educators.
2. Understanding Your Child's Learning Style: A guide to identifying your child's preferred learning methods and how to support them.
3. Supporting Children with Learning Disabilities in the Classroom: This article explores strategies and resources for supporting children with learning differences.
4. The Importance of Parent-Teacher Collaboration: This article highlights the benefits of a strong parent-teacher partnership for child development and academic success.
5. How to Advocate for Your Child's Educational Needs: Practical tips on advocating effectively for your child in the school system.
6. Building Positive Relationships with Your Child's Teacher: Guidance on fostering a collaborative and supportive relationship.
7. Helping Your Child Adjust to a New School Environment: Practical advice for navigating the transition to a new school.
8. Common Challenges Faced by Parents and Teachers: This article discusses common challenges and provides solutions for navigating difficult situations.
9. Creating a Supportive Home Learning Environment: Tips for creating a conducive environment that complements their school learning.


  how to describe your child to a teacher: Why Is My Child in Charge? Claire Lerner, 2021-09-02 Solve toddler challenges with eight key mindshifts that will help you parent with clarity, calmness, and self-control. In Why is My Child in Charge?, Claire Lerner shows how making critical mindshifts—seeing children’s behaviors through a new lens —empowers parents to solve their most vexing childrearing challenges. Using real life stories, Lerner unpacks the individualized process she guides parents through to settle common challenges, such as throwing tantrums in public, delaying bedtime for hours, refusing to participate in family mealtimes, and resisting potty training. Lerner then provides readers with a roadmap for how to recognize the root cause of their child’s behavior and how to create and implement an action plan tailored to the unique needs of each child and family. Why is My Child in Charge? is like having a child development specialist in your home. It shows how parents can develop proven, practical strategies that translate into adaptable, happy kids and calm, connected, in-control parents.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: The Tiny Seed Eric Carle, 2009-03-10 Eric Carle’s classic story of the life cycle of a flower is told through the adventures of a tiny seed. This mini-book includes a piece of detachable seed-embedded paper housed on the inside front cover. Readers can plant the entire piece of paper and watch as their very own tiny seeds grow into beautiful wildflowers.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: A Letter from Your Teacher Shannon Olsen, 2022-03 From the author and illustrator of Our Class is a Family, this touching picture book expresses a teacher's sentiments and well wishes on the last day of school. Serving as a follow up to the letter in A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School, it's a read aloud for teachers to bid a special farewell to their students at the end of the school year. Through a letter written from the teacher's point of view, the class is invited to reflect back on memories made, connections formed, and challenges met. The letter expresses how proud their teacher is of them, and how much they will be missed. Students will also leave on that last day knowing that their teacher is cheering them on for all of the exciting things to come in the future. There is a blank space on the last page for teachers to sign their own name, so that students know that the letter in the book is coming straight from them. With its sincere message and inclusive illustrations, A Letter From Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School is a valuable addition to any elementary school teacher's classroom library.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: You Are Your Child's First Teacher, Third Edition Rahima Baldwin Dancy, 2012-08-14 The first book in America to popularize the insights of Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Waldorf schools, regarding the developmental needs of young children, this revised and updated edition offers new ways for parents and educators to enrich the lives of children from birth to age six. Today’s society often pressures us into overstimulating young children with flashcards, workbooks, videos, and electronic gadgets in a well-meaning attempt to give them a head start. But children are not little adults—they learn and grow in radically different ways at different ages, and what we do to help could actually hurt instead. Some of the most important learning years happen before your child reaches school. In You Are Your Child’s First Teacher, respected Waldorf educator Rahima Baldwin Dancy explains the different stages of learning that children go through from birth to age six, giving you the wisdom and understanding to enrich your child’s natural development in the right way at the right time. A trusted classic for over twenty years, this newly revised edition contains updated resources and additional information on discipline, early childhood programs, toilet training, using home life as curriculum, and more. From language and cognitive development to appropriate toys and nourishing your child’s artistic abilities, Dancy speaks up for a rational approach to child-rearing, one that helps children be children while we fulfill our important role as parents and first teachers.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Teaching Children to Care Ruth Charney, 2002-03-01 Ruth Charney gives teachers help on things that really matter. She wants children to learn how to care for themselves, their fellow students, their environment, and their work. Her book is loaded with practical wisdom. Using Charney's positive approach to classroom management will make the whole school day go better. - Nel Noddings, Professor Emeritus, Stanford University, and author of Caring This definitive work about classroom management will show teachers how to turn their vision of respectful, friendly, academically rigorous classrooms into reality. The new edition includes: More information on teaching middle-school students Additional strategies for helping children with challenging behavior Updated stories and examples from real classrooms. Teaching Children to Care offers educators a practical guide to one of the most effective social and emotional learning programs I know of. The Responsive Classroom approach creates an ideal environment for learning—a pioneering program every teacher should know about. - Daniel Goleman, Author of Emotional Intelligence I spent one whole summer reading Teaching Children to Care. It was like a rebirth for me. This book helped direct my professional development. After reading it, I had a path to follow. I now look forward to rereading this book each August to refresh and reinforce my ability to effectively manage a social curriculum in my classroom. - Gail Zimmerman, second-grade teacher, Jackson Mann Elementary School, Boston, MA
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Rest, Play, Grow Deborah MacNamara, 2016 Using the relational development approach of Gordon Neufeld, the author offers a road map to making sense of the behavior of young children and understanding their developmental growth.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Passionate Learners Pernille Ripp, 2015-08-27 Would you want to be a student in your own classroom? In Passionate Learners: How to Engage and Empower Your Students, author Pernille Ripp challenges both novice and seasoned teachers to create a positive, interactive learning environment where students drive their own academic achievement. You’ll discover how to make fundamental changes to your classroom so learning becomes an exciting challenge rather than a frustrating ordeal. Based on the author’s personal experience of transforming her approach to teaching, this book outlines how to: • Build a working relationship with your students based on mutual trust, respect, and appreciation • Be attentive to your students’ needs and share ownership of the classroom with them • Break out of the vicious cycle of punishment and reward to control student behaviour • Use innovative and creative lesson plans to get your students to become more engaged and intellectually-invested learners, while still meeting your state standards • Limit homework and abandon traditional grading so that your students can make the most of their learning experiences without unnecessary stress • And much more! New to the second edition, you’ll find practical tools, such as teacher and student reflection sheets, parent questionnaires, and parent conference tools, available in the book and as eResources on our website (http://www.routledge.com/9781138916920) to help you build your own classroom of passionate learners.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: A Parent's Guide to Working with Teachers Kenneth Shore, 2010 Many parents, especially those new to our country, need to understand how to more effectively work with schools and classroom teachers. This reference guide, available both in English and Spanish versions, is a valuable resource for school districts to use with those parents who could benefit from a better understanding how to:Build a positive relationship with their child¿s teacher Improve communication between the home and the school Prepare and participate in parent/teacher conferences Resolve conflicts, if and when they arise
  how to describe your child to a teacher: 100 Fun & Easy Learning Games for Kids Amanda Boyarshinov, Kim Vij, 2016-05-24 Learn While You Play With These Fun, Creative Activities & Games From two experienced educators and moms, 100 Fun & Easy Learning Games for Kids prepares your children to thrive in school and life the fun way by using guided play at home to teach important learning topics—reading, writing, math, science, art, music and global studies. Turn off the TV and beat boredom blues with these clever activities that are quick and easy to set up with common household materials. The huge variety of activities means you can choose from high-energy group games full of laughter and delight, or quiet activities that kids can complete on their own. All activities highlight the skill they teach, and some are marked with a symbol whether they are good for on-the-go learning or if they incorporate movement for kids to get their wiggles out. In Zip-Line Letters, children learn letter sounds as the letters zoom across the room. In Parachute Subtraction, place foam balls in a parachute, then kids shake the parachute and practice subtraction as they count how many balls fall off. Kids will have so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re gaining important skills! The activities are easy to adapt for all ages and skill levels. 100 Fun & Easy Learning Games for Kids is the solution for parents—as well as teachers, caregivers or relatives—to help kids realize how fun learning can be and develop what they’ll need to do well wherever life takes them.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons Phyllis Haddox, Siegfried Engelmann, Elaine Bruner, 1986-06-15 A step-by-step program that shows parents, simply and clearly, how to teach their child to read in just 20 minutes a day.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: My Teacher is a Monster! Peter Brown, 2019 Bobby thinks his teacher, Ms. Kirby, is horrible, but when he sees her outside of school and they spend a day in the park together, he discovers she might not be so bad after all. -- Verso.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: The Child Clinician's Report-Writing Handbook Ellen Braaten, 2019-09-02 Now revised and updated, this indispensable tool streamlines the process of conducting child and adolescent assessments and producing high-quality reports. In a convenient large-size format, the book is filled with interview questions and reproducible forms for collecting pertinent information from children, parents, and teachers; wording to describe more than 100 commonly used tests; and menus of terms and phrases for each section of a report. Formats and writing tips are provided for diagnostic, personality, and neuropsychological reports; treatment plans; progress notes; and more. Other user-friendly features include lists of medications and abbreviations and recommended print and online resources for professionals and parents. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials. New to This Edition *Revised throughout for DSM-5 and ICD-10-CM. *Includes the most current test batteries and rating scales. *Updated resources for professionals and parents. *Reproducible materials now available online.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Using Teacher Inquiry for Knowing and Supporting Parents with Mathematics Regina M. Mistretta, 2015-03-18 Parents are those social factors that can positively influence their child’s learning of mathematics. Using Teacher Inquiry for Knowing and Supporting Parents with Mathematics serves as a teacher’s inquiry guide for supporting parents in this critical role. Steps for investigating the manner in which parents and children work together on mathematics tasks, such as homework and projects, are shared. Findings gleaned from such investigation cultivate a state of knowing that positions teachers to support parents, and in turn their students, in meaningful and relevant ways. This book includes teacher inquiry approaches, related tools, and supportive resources for parents in grades Pre-K though 12. Teachers’ inquiry findings on their journey towards being in the know about parents and mathematics, along with their responsive action steps, are shared to help guide the reader’s use of inquiry for knowing and supporting parents with mathematics. Some key additional features of this book include: Support for both individual and collective teacher inquiry Resources for supporting parents through the grades Online teacher inquiry resources Anchor tasks for developing parents’ knowledge of mathematics content, and ways of supporting children’s understandings of that content
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Practical Wisdom for Parents Nancy Schulman, Ellen Birnbaum, 2008-05-06 This reassuring guide to navigating nursery school life-both at home and in the classroom-is the most comprehensive book on the subject. Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum draw on their decades of experience at the 92nd Street Y Nursery School to respond to parents' hunger for practical information on a wide range of topics, including: • What to look for in a preschool • Strategies for separation, discipline, toilet training, and bedtime • The best toys, books, and activities at every stage • How to stimulate your children without overscheduling them • Ways to talk about difficult topics like divorce, illness, or death • How to support your child's social and intellectual development Schulman and Birnbaum have devoted their lives to listening to and understanding young children, and the advice they offer is as warm and humorous as it is comforting and wise.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Psychoeducational Assessment and Report Writing Stefan C. Dombrowski, 2014-11-10 This textbook provides in-depth instruction for conducting psychoeducational assessments of children in grades K-12 and conveying results through detailed, well-written reports. It takes readers step by step through the assessment process – collecting data, writing reports, and communicating conclusions – for students with conditions spanning the range of IDEA classifications such as autism, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and conditions covered by Section 504. The book offers not only a broad understanding of assessment and communication skills, but also of the ethical, legal, cultural, and professional considerations that come with psychoeducational evaluation. And its sample reports model clear, well-organized results accessible to parents and caregivers as well as teachers and colleagues. Key areas of coverage include: • Assessment basics: the testing environment and protocols, interviewing, and observation. • Report writing section by section, from reason for referral to summary and recommendations. • Guidelines for oral reporting, with case examples. • Special issues in psychoeducational assessment and report writing. • Sample psychoeducational reports using this framework. Psychoeducational Assessment and Report Writing is an essential text for graduate students, researchers, professors, and professionals in child and school psychology; assessment, testing, and evaluation; social work; and psychological methods/evaluation.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Character Matters Thomas Lickona, 2004-02-10 In Why Character Matters, a leader in the character education movement and author of the landmark book, Educating for Character, Likona now lays out 100 specific strategies that will help parents as well as teachers instill children with the values that will help them lead good and successful lives.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Teaching Kids to Read For Dummies Tracey Wood, 2011-04-27 You’re thinking of teaching a child to read. What a great idea! Now all you need is exactly the right blueprint. This easy-to-follow book is written with two people in mind; you, and the child you’re thinking of teaching. Mother and children’s reading specialist Tracey Wood gives you all the down-to-earth, honest information you need to give a child a happy, solid start with reading. Teaching Kids to Read For Dummies is for parents of young children who want to give their kids a head start by teaching them to read before they enter school or to supplement their children’s school instruction, as well as teachers and caregivers of young children. Filled with hands-on activities that progress a child from sounds to words to sentences to books, this friendly guide shows you how to: Prepare a child to read Sharpen his listening skills Correct her errors graciously Choose the right books Have kids read out loud Find help if you need it Whether the child you want to teach is two or twelve; fast paced or steady; an absolute beginner or someone who’s begun but could use a little help, this empathetic book shows you how to adapt the simple, fun activities to your child’s individual needs. You’ll see how to make activities age appropriate, how to add more challenge or support, and how to make gender allowances if that’s relevant. Plus, you’ll discover how to: Lay the foundation for good reading skills Tell the difference between a reading delay and a reading problem Help your child build words from letters and sounds, advance to short and long vowel words, and conquer syllables and silent letters Select entertaining workbooks, recycle them, and make up your own reading activities Get your child ready for sentences Keep your child reading — with others or on his own Complete with lists of word families, phonics rules, and reading resources, Teaching Kids to Read For Dummies will help you make learning fun for your child as he or she develops this critical skill!
  how to describe your child to a teacher: The Highly Sensitive Child Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., 2002-10-08 A groundbreaking parenting guidebook addressing the trait of “high sensitivity” in children, from the psychologist and bestselling author of The Highly Sensitive Person whose books have sold more than 1 million copies With the publication of The Highly Sensitive Person, pioneering psychotherapist Dr. Elaine Aron became the first person to identify the inborn trait of “high sensitivity” and to show how it affects the lives of those who possess it. In The Highly Sensitive Child, Dr. Aron shifts her focus to the 15 to 20 percent of children who are born highly sensitive—deeply reflective, sensitive to the subtle, and easily overwhelmed. These qualities can make for smart, conscientious, creative children, but also may result in shyness, fussiness, or acting out. As Dr. Aron shows in The Highly Sensitive Child, if your child seems overly inhibited, particular, or you worry that they may have a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as ADHD or autism, they may simply be highly sensitive. And raised with proper understanding and care, highly sensitive children can grow up to be happy, healthy, well-adjusted adults. Rooted in Dr. Aron’s years of experience working with highly sensitive children and their families, as well as in her original research on child temperament, The Highly Sensitive Child explores the challenges of raising an HSC; the four keys to successfully parenting an HSC; how to help HSCs thrive in a not-so-sensitive world; and how to make school and friendships enjoyable. With chapters addressing the needs of specific age groups, from newborns to teens, The Highly Sensitive Child is the ultimate resource for parents, teachers, and the sensitive children in their lives.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: The Gift of ADHD Lara Honos-Webb, 2010-07-01 As a parent, you already know that your child has many gifts. What you may not know is that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related symptoms-the very qualities that lead him or her to act out and distract others-may be among them. This second edition of The Gift of ADHD includes compelling new research indicating that the impulses that lead your child to act exuberantly may correspond with unusual levels of creativity and a heightened capacity for insight into the feelings and emotions of others. Could it be that ADHD is not a hindrance, but an asset in our fast-paced digital age? ADHD expert Lara Honos-Webb presents the evidence for this revolutionary concept and explains how you can help your child develop control over inattentive, hyperactive behavior and enhance the five gifts of ADHD: creativity, attunement to nature, interpersonal intuition, energetic enthusiasm, and emotional sensitivity. Filled with easy skill-building activities you and your child can do together, this book will help your child transform problematic symptoms into strengths, then build the self-esteem they need to let those gifts shine.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities Brittany L. Hott, Kathleen M. Randolph, Lesli Raymond, 2020-10-23 Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities provides a comprehensive resource for preservice and in-service educators to teach and support academic, social, and behavioral development. The text focuses on implementation of evidence-based interventions, strategies, and practices. Dedicated chapters address quality service delivery models including individual, classroom, and school-wide supports. In addition, academic intervention chapters concentrate on reading, mathematics, writing, and study skills. Finally, the book includes step-by-step directions for conducting Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), developing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and monitoring student progress. The book will serve as a valuable reference for educators supporting students with challenging behaviors. Key Features: *Case studies written by PreK-12 practitioners based on their experiences supporting students with emotional and behavioral disorders *Numerous worksheets and examples to support implementation of evidence-based practices *Accessible and consistent format across all chapters *Pedagogical aids reinforce understanding: chapter objectives, key terms, chapter summaries, discussion questions, and lists of additional resources and readings Disclaimer: Please note that ancillary content (such as documents, audio, and video, etc.) may not be included as published in the original print version of this book.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Raising Smart Kids For Dummies Marlene Targ Brill, 2011-04-22 So, you wanna turn Junior into a smarty-pants? What parent doesn't? Thing is, kids nowadays are more independent than ever and aren't always receptive to what parents want. In fact, if you tell your kids that studying is good for them, they're more than likely to mumble, Yeah, sure, in your general direction and head off to do something fun. Sharpening the minds of your youngsters presents more challenges than climbing Mt. Everest, and the responsibility of making your kids use more of their brain cells can be overwhelming – even when you don't encounter resistance. Raising smart kids requires long-term commitment, sacrifice, and diligence – not to mention the patience of a saint. And as long as you don't obsess about being the perfect parent, you will be able to enjoy your kids' journey of self-discovery right along with them. But how do you accomplish this? How do you overcome the resistance? How do you tackle the overwhelming task of not only helping your children succeed in school, but also increasing their ability to make their own way in the world? That's where Raising Smart Kids For Dummies steps in to help. Written in easy-to-understand terms (and absolutely no slick psycho-babble), this book gives you sound advice on encouraging your kids to set their sights high and achieve success, whether at school, with friends, or in your community. And you don't have to be a new parent to gain insight from this book; experienced parents can reap rewards with the help of this book in their effort to raise fulfilled children. Here's just a sampling of what you'll find in Raising Smart Kids For Dummies: Recognizing the characteristics of smart kids Knowing when to push – and when not to Disciplining your kids in a positive way Growing smarter kids from healthier bodies Planning the development of your kids' brains: From newborns to teenagers Taking your smart kids beyond high school Eliminating brain drain from school-skipping, drug abuse, and raging hormones Top Ten lists of family characteristics that nurture smart kids, what smart kids read, and resources for bolstering parents' confidence You've heard it said a thousand times: The children are the future. Children have such potential, but rarely live up to it. Why take this chance with your own kids? Make the commitment to prepare your kids for life on their own. With Raising Smart Kids For Dummies, you, too, can achieve success – and have a little fun along the way!
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Family-School Success for Children with ADHD Thomas J. Power, Jennifer A. Mautone, Stephen L. Soffer, 2024-05-07 Distilling decades of research, this practical manual presents an innovative intervention for families of 6- to 10-year-olds (grades 1–5) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Family–School Success (FSS) focuses on improving children's behavior and academic performance by strengthening parent–child, teacher–student, and family–school relationships. Detailed guidelines are provided for implementing FSS with parent groups or individual families, including how to involve children in groups and collaborate with teachers. The authors discuss ways to deliver FSS effectively in school- and clinic-based settings, private practice, and primary care. In a convenient large-size format, the book features dozens of reproducible parent handouts and worksheets, assessment tools, and fidelity checklists, which can also be downloaded and printed. This book is in The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series, edited by Sandra M. Chafouleas.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Student Handouts United States. Department of the Army, 2006
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Straight Talk about Your Child's Mental Health Stephen V. Faraone, 2012-04-24 Parents reach for dog-eared copies of Dr. Spock when their child has a rash or the flu, but when moodiness lingers or worrisome behavior problems grow, they have nowhere to turn for answers or reassurance. Now, in this compassionate resource, prominent Harvard researcher Dr. Stephen V. Faraone gives parents the tools they need to look clearly at how a child is feeling, thinking, and behaving and make wise decisions about when to call for professional help. Cues and questions teach readers to become scientific observers of their child, and vital facts about common disorders help them distinguish between normal variations in speech development and Asperger syndrome, between moodiness that's just a phase and depression, between childhood fears and the symptoms of anxiety. Knowing what to ask--and tell--the professionals, from the pediatrician to a mental health specialist, will help parents ensure a complete and accurate diagnosis. Filled with handy sidebars, charts, and checklists, the book also teaches parents to weigh treatment options to determine what's best for their child. Winner--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Teacher Evaluation Kenneth D. Peterson, 2000-05-19 This handbook advocates a new approach to teacher evaluation as a cooperative effort undertaken by a group of professionals. Part 1 describes the need for changed teacher evaluation, and part 2 outlines ways to use multiple data sources, including student and parent reports, peer review of materials, student achievement results, teacher tests, documentation of professional activity, systematic observation, and administrator reports, as well as discussions of the teacher as curriculum designer and data sources to avoid. Part 3 describes tools for improved teacher evaluation, and the evaluation of other educators is outlined in part 4. School district responsibilities and activities are described in part 5. This edition adds new chapters on: (1) the role of the principal in changed teacher evaluation; (2) how districts can transform current practice; (3) use of national standards; (4) developments in using student achievement data; and (5) the development of sociologically sophisticated teacher evaluation systems. Emphasis is placed on the use of the Internet as a resource and other new resources for local development. A list of legal cases cited is included. (Contains 343 references.) (SLD)
  how to describe your child to a teacher: College Admissions Cracked Jill Margaret Shulman, 2019-08-06 How to help your kid navigate the college admissions process -- from scheduling standardized tests to writing essays -- month by month, girlfriend's-guide style. So, your child is a high school junior. You've heard other parents with kids older than yours whisper the word college like it was a terminal disease. You've seen their taut, maniacal grins as they try to hold it together. The process of weathering and conquering the college admissions process with a teenager is a daunting affair for many. Advice will pour in through friends, your child's guidance counselor, and your mother's neighbor's cousin. Thankfully, Jill Margaret Shulman, a college admissions coach, application evaluator, college writing instructor, essayist, author, and empathetic parent, is here to be your fiercest ally. She'll guide you through the entire crazy ritual that college admissions has become, month by month, breath by deep, cleansing breath, until you drop your kid off at college where she will ignore your phone calls and texts. Come as you are -- whether chill or roiling with anxiety -- and Shulman, along with a platoon of experts and fellow parents, will help you maintain your strength and sense of self-worth, so easily lost somewhere between your teenager's screaming, I hate you! You're ruining my life! and typing your credit card number into the College Board's website for the twentieth time. You've got college admissions cracked, and now, this book has got your back.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: The Next Big Thing in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities Bryan G. Cook, Melody Tankersley, Timothy J. Landrum, 2021-04-28 Responding to the need for educational stakeholders to plan for evolving developments in policy and practice for learners with learning and behavioral disabilities, the authors in this edited collection predict what the next big things in the field will be, and offer recommendations on how to prepare for that envisioned future.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: How Public Schools Really Work Parry Graham, 2022-09-14 Since March of 2019, parents across the US have gained an unprecedented peek into their children’s schools and classrooms. In many cases, this has led to a newfound respect and appreciation for the hard work of teachers and administrators. But it has also raised important questions about the roles that parents can and should play in their children’s education.This book is a collection of insider information, not to help parents beat the system, but to help them work with the system—and to make sure the system works with them.Full of tips, strategies, resources, and real-life stories, this book will help any parent navigate the often confusing world of public schools. Whether you want to advocate for your child’s classroom experience, support your child when they get in trouble, or just help make a difference in your child’s school, this book will show you how.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Asking the Right Questions about Schools John Chrysostom Dougherty, Chrys Dougherty, 2002 Parents who want to be more involved in their child's education, who want to be aware of what their child should be learning, and who want to be an informed part of the education process, need to read this book. The first half of the book guides parents into an understanding of what a good education should look like--what skills and content children should learn, and the characteristics of a successful school. The second half is an action guide for improving education--keeping children from academic failure, raising standards, improving school safety, classroom teaching, and academic accountability. Each chapter stands alone, and together, the result is a handbook for the informed parent.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Overcoming Dyslexia For Dummies Tracey Wood, 2011-04-22 Includes tips and strategies for kids, teens, and adults with dyslexia Understand what dyslexia is, assess schools and programs, and help your child succeed Does your child mix up d's and b's? Does he or she have trouble reading? If so, the cause may be dyslexia. But don't worry -- these days, there are many ways to overcome dyslexia. This hands-on guide leads you step by step through your options -- and explains how anyone with dyslexia can achieve success in school and life. Discover how to * Recognize the symptoms of dyslexia * Understand diagnostic test results * Set up an Individualized Education Program (IEP) * Work effectively with teachers * Improve your child?s reading skills
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Gifted and Distractible Julie F. Skolnick, 2023-10-17 A practical, research-based guide that demystifies giftedness and learning differences in order to help “twice exceptional” children thrive. Does your child exhibit giftedness and behavioral issues like meltdowns, power struggles, and difficulty relating to their peers? Are they out-of-the-box thinkers requiring different teaching and learning methods? It’s a widely held misconception that intellectual ability and social and emotional success go hand in hand. In fact, “twice exceptional” kids—those who are gifted and have simultaneous learning differences like ADHD, Autism, or dyslexia—are often misunderstood by parents, teachers, and themselves. This much-needed and empowering guide reveals the unique challenges these remarkable kids face, and offers strength-based, hands-on strategies for understanding, supporting, and advocating for twice exceptional kids. In a world that labels them lazy, scattered, attention-seeking, and a problem that can’t be solved, these tools will help you reimagine the world through your child’s unique perspective—so you can help them thrive.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: You Can Do It Michael E. Bernard, 2009-11-29 From the founder of You Can Do It! Education, a program for promoting student social-emotional wellbeing and achievement that is being used in thousands of schools, a guide to supporting struggling students. California State University professor and educational psychologist Michael Bernard shows parents how to help their children succeed in school to the very best of their abilities. You Can Do It! reveals the various types of underachieving students, tells how to prevent problems before they start, explains which parenting techniques work and which don't, as well as what attitudes and motivational skills children need to learn.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Teach Me, I Dare You! Judith Brough, Sherrell Bergmann, Larry Holt, 2013-10-18 This book provides practical tools for educators who work with disenchanted and disengaged youths. It offers clear, research-based, and explicit strategies for motivating, connecting, and intervening with these students. The practical wisdom in this book demonstrates what you can do to connect these students to their schools and to a promising future.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Your Hyperactive Child Barbara Ingersoll, 2011-05-04 The authoritative handbook provides a wealth of urgently needed information to help parents of a hyperactive child understand and cope with their child's baffling behavior.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Reducing the Risk, Increasing the Promise Sherrell Bergmann, Judith Brough, 2013-10-02 In their new book, Bergmann and Brough provide a clear path to follow for helping your at-risk students achieve success in and out of the classroom. Packed with classroom-tested, practical strategies and lesson plans for teaching respect, responsibility, resilience, reading, and other essential skills to at-risk students, this is a must-have book for educators at all levels. Use the plans alone, or as part of a unit. Either way, the tools for success in this book will help you positively impact the lives of at-risk students every day. Each chapter is dedicated to a different skill and offers easy-to-implement activities and strategies based on achieving success in that essential skill. For example: Strategies for establishing positive peer relationships Cooperative treasure hunting for resilience building Keys to structured role-playing for conflict resolution Each chapter includes a component about what parents and caregivers can do to help their at-risk children achieve success, and provides a basis for effective communication between educator and parent, an important piece of the puzzle often overlooked.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Good Ideas Michael Rosen, 2014-09-11 We live in a world surrounded by all the stuff that education is supposed to be about: machines, bodies, languages, cities, votes, mountains, energy, movement, plays, food, liquids, collisions, protests, stones, windows. But the way we've been taught often excludes all sorts of practical ways of finding out about ideas, knowledge and culture - anything from cooking to fixing loo cisterns, from dance to model making, from collecting leaves to playing 'Who am I?'. The great thing is that you really can use everything around you to learn more. Learning should be much more fun and former children's laureate, million-selling author, broadcaster, father of five and all-round national treasure, Michael Rosen wants to show you how. Forget lists, passing tests and ticking boxes, the world outside the classroom can't be contained within the limits of any kind of curriculum - and it's all the better for it. Long car journeys, poems about farting, cake baking, even shouting at the TV can teach lessons that will last a lifetime. Packed with enough practical tips, stories and games to inspire a legion of anxious parents and bored children, Good Ideas shows that the best kind of education really does start at home.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Solving the Puzzle of Your Add/ADHD Child Laura J. Stevens, 2015-10-01 This text is the result of the author's research devoted to the needs of ADD and ADHD. It begins with a review of core concepts relating to the identification of biological factors. Helping a child with ADD or ADHD is like solving a jigsaw puzzle composed of many different pieces related to his behavior and health. You have to identify the puzzle pieces important for your child or patient and fit them together to form a completed puzzle. Within each chapter, the author will help identify the pieces of a child's puzzle. Part I discusses the symptoms of ADD and ADHD, how these disorders are diagnosed, accompanying mental and physical problems, and what the underlying causes may be. Traditional treatments are outlined plus the pros and cons of using medication. Part II explains the A+ Diet to give children the nutrients they need. Avoidance of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup is discussed along with the problems of sugar and sugar replacements. Part III presents important lifestyle considerations such as quality and quantity of sleep and exercise. Part IV focuses on possible missing nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. Part V identifies common food, chemical, and inhalant sensitivities. Part VI explains the importance of having beneficial bacteria in the intestine, and the problems of leaky gut. Part VII discusses the impact of toxic minerals and chemicals on behavior and health. Also provided is an appendix containing numerous child-appealing recipes that will help parents cope. This book will be a valuable resource for professionals who work with children-pediatricians, special educators, counselors, social workers, and researchers.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Identifying and Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted Students Lesley Collier Lewis, Annie Rivera, Debbie Roby, 2021-09-09 Identifying and Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted Students revolutionizes the identification and education of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) gifted and talented students. Written with the educator, administrator, and program developer in mind, this book will positively transform the educational system for working with CLD student populations. Correlated with the updated NAGC standards, the book examines existing program structures through the lens of over- and underrepresentation of CLD students in gifted programs. The book also features a formula for auditing current programs for CLD representation and an innovative model for identifying these students for gifted services.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: Trusting Your Child’s Teachers: at Times You May Disagree Susan Fay Ryan Ed.D., 2022-05-06 This book is dedicated to good teachers everywhere. Human nature dictates that from time to time, even the best of teachers may make mistakes. When they are made aware of such aberrations, good teachers will recognize and repair them. They will, at a moments notice, set things right with their students.
  how to describe your child to a teacher: The Ultimate Jewish Teacher's Handbook Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz, 2003 Note: This product is printed when you order it. When you include this product your order will take 5-7 additional days to ship.¬+¬+This complete and comprehensive resource for teachers new and experienced alike offers a big picture look at the goals of Jewish education.