Page 68 - issue
P. 68
ADVOCATING SUCCESSFULLY is different and requires its own
FOR YOUR CHILD approach, there are some general advo-
Sby Aviva Weisbord, Ph.D. cacy how-tos that can result in a posi-
o here we are, back at school, socially and academically adept. And, tive outcome. Taking some time to
with excitement and dread all as always, we think about the optimum think carefully about this challenge can
mixed together. As parents, we ways to help this happen: How can we spell the difference between success
begin the year (not unlike the become a true partner in our child’s and failure, between helping our child
children) hoping for a teacher education? What happens if we have and actually causing harm.
who’s a “match” for our child concerns? Is it best to keep quiet and
and will create the setting for hope things work out by themselves? Believe or not, successfully advocat-
Or is it better to be proactive? Is there ing for our children begins on the first
day of school or at orientation,
healthy growth and learning. We a “best way” to advocate for our chil- whichever comes first. That’s because
we never want to approach a teacher or
daven for our child to be successful, to dren? administrator in a vacuum: We start by
establishing a solid, cooperative rela-
keep up with the work, and to feel While we know that each situation tionship with the teacher and the
school. You want the teacher to see
that you have a positive attitude
towards him or her and that you are
confident that this will be a great
school year. As the weeks go on, be
sure to share specific aspects of the
class that you appreciate. We so often
take things for granted when they’re
going well, thinking that’s the way it
should be, instead of expressing our
gratitude for the work that goes
into teaching a class of different
64 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
FOR YOUR CHILD approach, there are some general advo-
Sby Aviva Weisbord, Ph.D. cacy how-tos that can result in a posi-
o here we are, back at school, socially and academically adept. And, tive outcome. Taking some time to
with excitement and dread all as always, we think about the optimum think carefully about this challenge can
mixed together. As parents, we ways to help this happen: How can we spell the difference between success
begin the year (not unlike the become a true partner in our child’s and failure, between helping our child
children) hoping for a teacher education? What happens if we have and actually causing harm.
who’s a “match” for our child concerns? Is it best to keep quiet and
and will create the setting for hope things work out by themselves? Believe or not, successfully advocat-
Or is it better to be proactive? Is there ing for our children begins on the first
day of school or at orientation,
healthy growth and learning. We a “best way” to advocate for our chil- whichever comes first. That’s because
we never want to approach a teacher or
daven for our child to be successful, to dren? administrator in a vacuum: We start by
establishing a solid, cooperative rela-
keep up with the work, and to feel While we know that each situation tionship with the teacher and the
school. You want the teacher to see
that you have a positive attitude
towards him or her and that you are
confident that this will be a great
school year. As the weeks go on, be
sure to share specific aspects of the
class that you appreciate. We so often
take things for granted when they’re
going well, thinking that’s the way it
should be, instead of expressing our
gratitude for the work that goes
into teaching a class of different
64 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
