Open communication between family and teachers is one commonly overlooked aspect of a successful transition to school or daycare. Children learn best within safe, trusting relationships. The more your toddler’s teachers know about your child, the more personalized and effective these relationships will be.
This means that communication from school to home should be two-way. Don’t merely consume updates from your child’s teacher; return the favor by getting in the habit of sharing with your child’s teachers what you observe at home and if there are any major shifts or changes to family life.
Here are things teachers want you to share with them:
Personality:What is your child like? Do they tend to jump right into things? Do they need a little time to warm up before participating? Children can show different sides to their personalities between school and home, so it is helpful to know what is typical behavior for your child.
Strategies for soothing:What comforts your child? Do they use a lovey? Suck their thumb? Do they need cuddles - rocking, firm pressure, back rubs? A little physical space to calm down?
Current interests:Sensory play? Books? Puzzles? Vehicles? Musical instruments?
Common words, word approximations, gestures, or signs used to express needs:Words, word approximations, gestures, and signs that pertain to feeding, toileting, bodies, and comfort are particularly important. Every family has their own communication “shorthand,” especially with a toddler whose language is still developing. Your toddler may use word approximations that you understand, such as “tata” for pasta, but another adult might not. If there are words or phrases particular to your family (different words for penis or vagina, for example), those are important to share.
Names of special people/pets in a child’s life:What are the names of the special figures in your child’s life, and how does your child currently identify them versus what their names really are?
Routines:When does your child generally go to sleep and wake up? Eat breakfast? Especially helpful are those routines that, if changed, may impact your child on any given day.
Changes:These can include everything from moving from crib to bed, a new caregiver, a visit from grandparents, or a new sibling. Illness, or even something as minor as the house being repainted. We never know precisely what changes in a child’s environment or routines may impact their behavior, so having a baseline is very helpful!
A bridge between home and school allows for adjustments to care in both settings, makes partnerships between parents and teachers possible, and, most importantly, can make your child’s learning and growing experience and care more personalized and effective.