Prairie Elementary Gifted and Talented Services
			In partnership with parents and the community, Prairie Elementary will educate and develop responsible,life-long learners
Home Opportunities Is My Child Gifted? Raising a Gifted Child Math Reading Language Arts Fine Arts Book Reviews Inclusive Services Gifted Kid Trivia Parent Info Helpful Links Contact		Parent Information        Communication with Teachers Studies have shown when parents are actively interested in school the child benefits. This communication process is a valuable component to the education process. Do parents always feel comfortable with the process of communicating with teachers? Sometimes, parents approach school interactions using their own school experiences as a focal point. Fear, respect and apprehension may interfere in the communication process. The best approach for parents is to attempt to get past the title "teacher" and reach the person behind it. Partnership between parents and teachers is a powerful force. The following suggestions are listed as ways to support the communication process for parents and teachers: List your questions before a conference. You may want to ask about goals and expectations. You may want the teacher's view on something you do not get a chance to see because you are not in the classroom. Ask your teacher what she has observed about your child's social and emotional development. This area of school life is better approached by parents first. If there are areas that need correction, listen and try not to get emotional. Your child is special, but welcome the opportunity for improvement. Make a plan or conference again to formulate a plan if there is anything that needs to be specifically addressed. A clear plan is always a good beginning to a solution. "What can we do at home?" can really get the process underway. Continue to act on your questions and concerns. If a problem still continues there may be a misunderstanding where more communication may be necessary.