Parents--make it a point to get to know your child's caregiver. After all, we're with your child for the majority of their waking hours. All you have to do is acknowledge us when dropping off or picking up your child each day. Like anyone else, we would like a smile, a "Good morning", or a"Have a nice weekend." You only need to spend a couple of minutes visiting with us. We know that you've got to get to work and we need to stay focused on the children in our class.
As a teacher I can tell you that if you treat us with kindness and respect we will bend over backwards when it comes to your child. Even if your child is the one that we have the most problems with, we will look at them differently just because of the way you act toward us. You have no idea how your attitude towards us has an effect on our attitude toward you as well as your child. If you constantly complain and find it hard to say anything nice, we get to where we don't look forward to seeing you come in in the morning. How do you think that effects your child? Don't get me wrong, we're certainly not going to treat your child any different. We will still love them and treat them the same as all the other children. But imagine the tension you've created for your child first thing in the morning based on your attitude. And it's not easy for us to just blow off how you have treated us. We are only human after all. We may feel upset the majority of the day. Don't you think that can have an effect on your child's day? Children pick up on the tension that their teachers are experiencing.
One year we had a child with learning and social issues. The very first day of class the mom showed up with gifts for all the teachers. We could call her about anything and she was always willing to work with us in solving any problems we might be having at the time. She sent gifts for every special occasion. (I'm certainly not hinting that you do the same. We know money is tight. Just a kind word goes a long way). But, she knew that there were times we had problems with her child and this was her way of letting us know that she appreciated all we did. And because of this family's attitude we were determined to make this work and the child had a fantastic school year. And it all started with the kindness and genuine appreciation the parents showed the staff.
I always tell our young teachers about this family. Then I remind them that when they have their own children and send them off to school that THAT'S the way you treat the teachers.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
DON'T
This is a major issue for daycare providers--DON'T bring your child to school when they are sick. If they have been sent home sick, keep them there for 24 hours after their fever or other symptoms are gone. Even public schools have this policy. And don't bother loading them up with fever reducer. Believe me, we know you're doing it. More then likely we can tell the minute we see your child that they are sick, with or without medicine. Besides, if they are over 2 years old we'll simply ask them and they are more then happy to tell us which medicine Mommy gave them that morning. Plus, these meds wear off after a few hours.
If we call you at work to pick up your child because they are sick, don't get angry with us. It's not our fault. He/she is SICK. They need to be at home with Mom or Dad, sitting on the couch, wrapped in their favorite blanket, getting your undivided attention. They do not need to be lying on a mat on the floor in the corner of their classroom with NO ONE paying attention to them because their teacher is taking care of 10 or more other children. All kids ever want is their own mommy or daddy when they are sick.
The reality is that children in daycare get sick a lot. You need to have a backup plan for when your child gets sick. In fact, have a backup to the backup. And state policy requires that we send children home that are sick--period. We do not have an isolated room for sick kids. While your sick child is in our care they are spreading their cold, flu, stomach bug, etc. to everyone else at the daycare, including their teachers. And we do not like to miss work any more then you do. When we miss work the other teachers have to be shuffled around or classes combined. It's not fair to the children. They need to know that they'll be seeing their regular teacher each day and be in their own classroom.
We realize that you may not have an understanding boss when it comes to leaving work for sick kids, but these are children who need their parents and need to be at home. So, please work with us. We're sorry your boss doesn't want you to miss anymore work, but our one and only concern is for the children.
If we call you at work to pick up your child because they are sick, don't get angry with us. It's not our fault. He/she is SICK. They need to be at home with Mom or Dad, sitting on the couch, wrapped in their favorite blanket, getting your undivided attention. They do not need to be lying on a mat on the floor in the corner of their classroom with NO ONE paying attention to them because their teacher is taking care of 10 or more other children. All kids ever want is their own mommy or daddy when they are sick.
The reality is that children in daycare get sick a lot. You need to have a backup plan for when your child gets sick. In fact, have a backup to the backup. And state policy requires that we send children home that are sick--period. We do not have an isolated room for sick kids. While your sick child is in our care they are spreading their cold, flu, stomach bug, etc. to everyone else at the daycare, including their teachers. And we do not like to miss work any more then you do. When we miss work the other teachers have to be shuffled around or classes combined. It's not fair to the children. They need to know that they'll be seeing their regular teacher each day and be in their own classroom.
We realize that you may not have an understanding boss when it comes to leaving work for sick kids, but these are children who need their parents and need to be at home. So, please work with us. We're sorry your boss doesn't want you to miss anymore work, but our one and only concern is for the children.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
DO
Teachers, please find something positive to say about each child when talking to the parents in the morning and especially at the end of the day. Yes, even that little one who seems to spend more time in timeout then any other child in your class. Try not to bombard parents with negative comments about their chid each and every day. Parents begin to dread talking to you or even seeing their child at the end of the day. And the child might not look forward to seeing their parents because they know they're going to be in trouble yet again.
When I have a child who seems to have problems day in and day out, I try to find something--anything--positive I can share with their parents at the end of the day. Even a tiny improvement is worth praising--hey, it's a start, right? And it means a lot to these children when you tell their parents--in front of the child--that they have had a much better day.
At our daycare we send home notes if a child has had a "not so good day." I always try to follow it with a good note if they've had even the tiniest improvement. I can't tell you how many parents have told me that they put that note in their child's scrapbook or framed it because they had never received a "good" note before. That's not right--every child deserves some positive feedback from their teachers--especially preschoolers. So many times those same kids would end up being some of the best kids in my class.
You really don't need to tell the parents about every single time Johnny or Susie was in timeout during the day. I tell the parents that if I don't tell them about their child being in timeout each time it's because I feel I have resolved the problem at school and the child has corrected him/herself. The issue happened on "my shift" and was taken care of on "my shift." I call these things "not worth writing home about." Even those parents who say they they want to know EVERY time their child is in trouble, seem to be happy with my policy. I've never had a parent disagree with me. I think it's a relief for the parent because then they know they won't be getting a long list of all the times their child was in trouble. Don't get me wrong--I do write notes home for serious problems or any ongoing issues.
As a teacher, I want parents to be excited to see their child at the end of the day and for their child to be equally happy to see their parents. They haven't seen each other all day, so let's help them all have a fun end-of-day reunion.
When I have a child who seems to have problems day in and day out, I try to find something--anything--positive I can share with their parents at the end of the day. Even a tiny improvement is worth praising--hey, it's a start, right? And it means a lot to these children when you tell their parents--in front of the child--that they have had a much better day.
At our daycare we send home notes if a child has had a "not so good day." I always try to follow it with a good note if they've had even the tiniest improvement. I can't tell you how many parents have told me that they put that note in their child's scrapbook or framed it because they had never received a "good" note before. That's not right--every child deserves some positive feedback from their teachers--especially preschoolers. So many times those same kids would end up being some of the best kids in my class.
You really don't need to tell the parents about every single time Johnny or Susie was in timeout during the day. I tell the parents that if I don't tell them about their child being in timeout each time it's because I feel I have resolved the problem at school and the child has corrected him/herself. The issue happened on "my shift" and was taken care of on "my shift." I call these things "not worth writing home about." Even those parents who say they they want to know EVERY time their child is in trouble, seem to be happy with my policy. I've never had a parent disagree with me. I think it's a relief for the parent because then they know they won't be getting a long list of all the times their child was in trouble. Don't get me wrong--I do write notes home for serious problems or any ongoing issues.
As a teacher, I want parents to be excited to see their child at the end of the day and for their child to be equally happy to see their parents. They haven't seen each other all day, so let's help them all have a fun end-of-day reunion.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
DO
Do check out a great website full of common sense ideas for parents--www.rosemond.com. This man, John Rosemond, is a family psychologist who has the best advice I've seen in a long, long time. He goes back to the good old fashion way of raising children. You've got to read his "Children's Rights" listed under "John's Bio". It's fantastic!!!! Every parent with young children absolutely needs to read this list. Try it--you'll like it!!!
DON'T
Parents--please don't talk on your phone as you're dropping off your children in the morning. All your attention needs to be 100% on that child. Unless you are a doctor and you have a major medical emergency, I cannot imagine any conversation being more important then your precious one. You're probably not going to be seeing your little one for the next 8 to 10 hours, so put that phone down! Better yet--leave it in the car so you won't be tempted to answer it if it rings. This is the time to focus totally on your preschooler.
It's also the time to connect with the teacher. It allows you to keep them up-to-date with things that are going on with your child--and vice versa. Maybe Susie is a little grumpy today (not enough sleep); or Johnny's pet is sick; or maybe Billy just has a fun story he wants to share with his teacher. These are things we want to know about.
The same goes with the afternoon pick-up time. Stay off the phone! Make sure"your face lights up" when you see that baby after a long day. They deserve nothing less from their mom or dad. Once again this is another opportunity to visit with the teacher. You'll be able to find out exactly how Susie's day was--not just read about it in her daily sheet. As a teacher I love to talk with the parents at the end of the day. It's such a great way to get to know the family better and for them to know you as well.
OBTW--this goes for parents who are picking up their kids in grades K-12. I can't tell you how many times I see parents yapping on their phone while their children are getting in the car after a long day at school. And worse, they continue to talk as they drive away--barely acknowledging their child. What a great opportunity to talk with these children at the end of the day--especially with teenagers. There's something about talking to kids while sitting next to them in a car without looking directly at them that seems to open them up. They might tell you about an issue they need advice with or share something fun about their day. Do you really want to pass that up for an unimportant conversation? I hope not.
It's also the time to connect with the teacher. It allows you to keep them up-to-date with things that are going on with your child--and vice versa. Maybe Susie is a little grumpy today (not enough sleep); or Johnny's pet is sick; or maybe Billy just has a fun story he wants to share with his teacher. These are things we want to know about.
The same goes with the afternoon pick-up time. Stay off the phone! Make sure"your face lights up" when you see that baby after a long day. They deserve nothing less from their mom or dad. Once again this is another opportunity to visit with the teacher. You'll be able to find out exactly how Susie's day was--not just read about it in her daily sheet. As a teacher I love to talk with the parents at the end of the day. It's such a great way to get to know the family better and for them to know you as well.
OBTW--this goes for parents who are picking up their kids in grades K-12. I can't tell you how many times I see parents yapping on their phone while their children are getting in the car after a long day at school. And worse, they continue to talk as they drive away--barely acknowledging their child. What a great opportunity to talk with these children at the end of the day--especially with teenagers. There's something about talking to kids while sitting next to them in a car without looking directly at them that seems to open them up. They might tell you about an issue they need advice with or share something fun about their day. Do you really want to pass that up for an unimportant conversation? I hope not.
Monday, February 11, 2013
DO
I wanted to remind teachers to please take the time to greet each and every child as they walk in your classroom. If you are sitting down--stand up and walk over to the him/her. I do not bother to sit down in the morning as the children are slowly coming in. If you're talking to another teacher--STOP--and acknowledge each child. I make it a point to touch the child in some way-- I pat them on the back, touch their hair or give them a "side" hug and call them by name.
I remember seeing Toni Morrison in an interview a while back and she talked about how she realized that her face should light up every time her son walked into a room. I realized that MY face should light up each time one of my preschoolers walks in my classroom. And it doesn't matter if it's the best behaved one in my class or the child that gives me the most problems--I greet ALL of them like I'm thrilled to have them there that day.
And remember--parents notice how you greet and react to their children. They can see that you genuinely care about them. This is so important--not only does it make each child feel special and glad to be at school--but it makes it easier to talk with the parents if an issue were to come up with their little one.
Teachers, think about how you would want your own child greeted if you were dropping them off at daycare. More important--how would YOU want to be welcomed if you were just a little girl/boy who really didn't have a choice about being at daycare. Even as adults we like for people to be glad to see us--our spouse, our friends--even the waiter at the restaurant or the salesman at the store. So please make an extra effort to welcome each child as soon as they walk into your classroom. You'll be surprised at what a difference you'll see in the children and also in how their parents react to you.
I remember seeing Toni Morrison in an interview a while back and she talked about how she realized that her face should light up every time her son walked into a room. I realized that MY face should light up each time one of my preschoolers walks in my classroom. And it doesn't matter if it's the best behaved one in my class or the child that gives me the most problems--I greet ALL of them like I'm thrilled to have them there that day.
And remember--parents notice how you greet and react to their children. They can see that you genuinely care about them. This is so important--not only does it make each child feel special and glad to be at school--but it makes it easier to talk with the parents if an issue were to come up with their little one.
Teachers, think about how you would want your own child greeted if you were dropping them off at daycare. More important--how would YOU want to be welcomed if you were just a little girl/boy who really didn't have a choice about being at daycare. Even as adults we like for people to be glad to see us--our spouse, our friends--even the waiter at the restaurant or the salesman at the store. So please make an extra effort to welcome each child as soon as they walk into your classroom. You'll be surprised at what a difference you'll see in the children and also in how their parents react to you.
Friday, February 1, 2013
DO
Please know that we (teachers) really do want your child to be happy at his/her daycare. That is our #1 priority. It serves no purpose for us to make you or your child's daily life miserable (guess what? It makes our day miserable as well). If your child is happy--we're happy. So if you or your child are not happy, then we ALL need to work on it together. We really are there to work WITH you and not against you. There are times when we feel that parents are fighting us the whole time instead of trying to work with us to solve any problems. I promise you that we really do have your child's best interest at heart. Most of us have done this for many years, so we have a pretty good idea how to deal with most problems (not all--mind you). If you will trust us and our years of experience we can work with you on most problems.
Just remember that your child is not the only one in our care, so we cannot always accommodate all your wants and needs. We have other parents who also have their own demands for their children. If we have 15 children in a class, then we may have as many as 30 parents we have to make happy. So please be understanding of our situation. We really are trying to do the best we can.
If your child remains in the same daycare for several years it makes your life so much easier and pleasant if you work with the staff--not against them. Most teachers I know will bend over backwards to work with you. If you treat them with kindness and respect, I promise you that they will return the favor. And really--that's all any of us really wants--kindness and respect.
Just remember that your child is not the only one in our care, so we cannot always accommodate all your wants and needs. We have other parents who also have their own demands for their children. If we have 15 children in a class, then we may have as many as 30 parents we have to make happy. So please be understanding of our situation. We really are trying to do the best we can.
If your child remains in the same daycare for several years it makes your life so much easier and pleasant if you work with the staff--not against them. Most teachers I know will bend over backwards to work with you. If you treat them with kindness and respect, I promise you that they will return the favor. And really--that's all any of us really wants--kindness and respect.
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