Master Teacher Problem/Solution document
By Beth Otto ()
PreSchool Teacher for the Hearing Impaired
Kaley Elementary School
Orange County Public Schools
Problem:
How to get parents involved in their deaf child’s education? Too often, educators tend to ignore the parents and take charge of the hearing impaired child’s future. This is not in the best interest of any hearing impaired child or his family.
Solution:
Often, a parent believes that once their hearing impaired child enters school, the educators will take over. It is important to let them know that they will always be the primary teacher for their child and we, as educators, are there to help them.
At our school, we notify parents each school year of our mandatory homework policy. This includes reading 15-20 minutes each night, speech/language work, and often academic homework in 1st – 5th grades. This mandatory homework begins in Preschool and parents then come to expect the work throughout their child’s schooling.
Many parents don’t work with their children at home because they really aren’t sure what to do. As a teacher of the 3 year olds, I am one of the first to interact with the parents. I invite them into the classroom to observe what we do in class, and I invite them to therapy sessions where I can model activities for them. I also have many take home activities.
- Monthly homework pages: Each month, I make flashcards, lotto cards, and lists of activities and how to use them with their child. I provide language activities and auditory training ideas. I am very specific in my directions. The parents are encouraged to store the activity cards in ziploc bags and repeat the activities throughout the year.
- Parent Kits. I also have activity boxes with commercial & teacher made activities, as well as books to read at home. There are step by step instructions for each activity. Families keep each kit for approximately 3 weeks and then return them for a new kit. These kits contain non-consumable materials and can be used again and again.
Once these parents have ideas and materials in their hands, they are eager to continue working with their children at home. Steno pads should be kept in the child’s backpack for daily notes back and forth between teacher and parent. Because many students ride the bus to school, teachers don’t have the opportunity to share highlights of the day with parents. Also, weekly classroom newsletters keep them informed on the activities and language being developed at school and help them extend the learning at home.
It is very important to keep an open door policy with parents. They must, however, learn that it is necessary for them to arrange dates and times of visits ahead of time with the teacher so as not to interrupt the routine of the classroom and to allow the teacher to make arrangements to talk with them about the class activities. When parents feel that they are a part of the learning process, they will become your greatest allies. Don’t be too critical of parents. Be grateful for all the support you get. Praise parents often for their contributions and hard work.
Impact on the Classroom:
Parent involvement has a great impact on the classroom. With parents working at home, learning can occur more rapidly and completely. Also, there are usually less behavior problems because the parent has become part of the education team and there should be better communication between home and school. Any behavior issues that arise can quickly be taken care of.