Welcome to What Would You Do Wednesday here on the Knowledge Safari blog! Each week we take a question that has been submitted to us and throw it out to you for your advice, opinion and/or answer! If you have a question, please send it to blog@knowledgesafari.com
Today's question comes from Eddie.
"I'm a teacher in a classroom setting with children who have a variety of special needs. This is my first year and I do like what I am doing. However, I am surprised by the lack of involvement by some of the parents. I am not sure if it is denial, busy schedules or something else. But I do not seem to be able to encourage some of the parents to participate with their kids either here in the classroom or at home. How far should I push? What could I say to help the parents engage with their children? Or, do I just do my job "9-5" and not worry about what happens at home? Any advice is welcome".
Thanks Eddie ... take it away blog readers!
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4 comments:
There are 2 kinds of parents (special needs or not)...those that Do, and those that Don't. I think a lot of SN parents get "help" (i.e. nursing, respite, etc) from the time their kid is born, so they don't appreciate (not sure if that's the right word) just hanging out with their kid.
I have never had any of those things...So, I am totally the hands-on mom. I sit and watch therapies, so I can do the stuff at home.
I don't actually have a good answer. Sorry.
I agree with Heather that there are two kinds of moms - hands on, and hands off. I disagree though that those with nursing/respite are hands off. We have nursing hours and I am DEFINATELY hands on with my girl. Even when our nurse is here, I am hands on. I take her to appointments and therapy and work with her at home. I drop in to her classroom at least once a week to help out and observe and play.
I think it's hard to know how parents think. I know in Peanut's class there are some parents who are obviously not very involved. Turns out that two of the kids are in foster homes, and that makes me even more sad that they don't get extra attention.
You can only do so much, honestly. If the parents are in denial or grieving or whatever, you can't make them more involved.
Then you will get great parents, and they will strengthen your emotions. I love being my daughter's Mom, whether there's a nurse with us or not!
Geez, sorry, I don't have a good answer either. I'm a teacher and I just try and do what I can while they're with me. And try and enjoy the hands-on ones!
I'm with A New Kind Of Perfect - while there are some parents who are hand - on and some who are hands - off, I disagree that parents who use respite care or other forms of help are therefore hands - off/don't appreciate spending time with their kids. All parents need a break every now and then, especially parents of children with special needs. It is a very difficult job and we need time to recharge our batteries. I am a very hands - on mom, but I don't feel guilty in the least when I get a babysitter for a few hours every now and then.
It could be for many of your students' parents that this is their first and/or only real break from dealing with their children's therapies and care. They could be taking a much needed rest from constantly working with/worrying about their children. All the same, they need to be aware of and on board with what their children are doing. Absolutely make an effort to include the parents. I would suggest, if possible, sending home a weekly report on what the kids are doing. Include suggestions on activities to work on at home to help reinforce what the children are doing at school, and have the parents sign it each week.
That's really all you can do, I suppose. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
The teacher sounds very enthusiastic about her job and truly caring about her students - kudos to her!
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