It TakesThree

Antasha Rene 

The ever important parent-teacher relationship has turned into apartnership that is critical to the success of our children.  Our HuaMei scholars are currently in aresidential reversal where they are living and learning at home, not atschool.  That shift places a greateremphasis on the parent-teacher dynamic. The parent cannot take a passive role in their child’s academic success,relying on teaching professionals to carry the load for such results.

We are reminded that parents are the first teachers of theirchildren and have rejoined them center-stage in the academic process.  This reintroduction brings parent challengesthat probably did not exist before. Parents are not left abandoned and can benefit from the relationshipwith their child’s teacher(s).  In theISD, we have weekly video calls with our scholars, parents, or scholars andparents together.

Let’s talk about patience! Our children need to be patient with themselves to learn, as do ourparents!  It is an easy temptation towant to step-in and provide answers for our children as they learn, or be upsetif they do not learn certain topics fast enough.  Tempering frustration is necessary tomaintain a healthy home-learning environment. Our children need to feel that they have a safe, encouraging space tolearn, develop, and grow their knowledge and skill base. Emotions may run highsometimes, that is okay, but remember to deal with them before learning starts.

There are great opportunities for parents in the home-learningenvironment.  Primarily, parents canbetter understand the needs of their children when it comes to learning.  That knowledge can better enrich theparent-teacher partnership to become more solution based when it comes to theneeds of our children.  These needs canbe situational, based on family events, or long-term, based on learningstyles.  Communication in thispartnership is just as important as understanding balanced expectations.

The positive potential of parent-teacher partnerships allow forthe sharing of ideas, follow-up, guidance, and best of all, the opportunity forparents to have fun with their children as they learn.