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Tips to Communicate With Your Child's Preschool Teacher

Admin • April 11, 2018
Teacher with her students — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

Your child's preschool teacher serves as a partner in their development, and strong communication between them and your family is essential to your child's success. However, it often feels as though there is little time to communicate during the rush of dropping off and picking up your child.

At drop off time, you may worry about interfering with the teacher's other duties by asking to talk. Alternatively, you may not know exactly how to broach a difficult topic such as your child's special needs. Now that your child is in the right preschool classroom use these tips to foster excellent communication with their teacher that supports your child's learning.


1. Provide Some Background

Over the next several months, your child's teacher will spend time getting to know what inspires your child to learn. However, you can streamline this process by giving them some background information from the very beginning.

Let your child's teacher know about your child's favorite colors, foods, and special characters. They can use this information to develop lesson plans that appeal to your child's interests. You may also let them know if there are areas where your child struggles or excels so that they can tailor their teaching strategy to fit these needs.

2. Check the Board

Preschool programs often have bulletin boards or newsletters that teachers use to communicate with parents. These often include calendar, lunch menus, and weekly themes. Find out where to look in your child's early learning center so that you can stay on top of new information such as upcoming special events.

3. Choose the Right Method of Communication

Naturally, you can always ask a quick question during morning drop-off. However, you can address more complicated topics such as your child's progress with a specific skill during a teacher conference.

Parent-teacher conferences can be as simple as an informal phone call when both of you can talk without distraction. They can also be held at your child's learning center where other people such as your child's therapist can be involved. Ask your child's teacher how they think a situation could best be handled, and use that method of communication.

4. Encourage Self-Advocacy

The preschool years are the ideal time to help your child practice speaking up for themselves. Encourage your child to tell their teacher about things such as allergies or if another child upsets them. While you may stay nearby to lend a helping hand, having your child practice communicating their needs teaches valuable skills in self-advocacy.

5. Share Major Life Changes


Things that happen at home affect your child's behavior and willingness to learn at preschool. If you are comfortable talking about it, then share major news with your child's teacher. For example, you may want to let them know if your child recently moved or has experienced a loss in the family.

Your child's teacher can use this type of information to support your child's emotional needs. For instance, they could read a book together about what to expect when moving to a new house. Alternatively, they can watch for signs that your child is struggling with adjusting to a change so that they can keep you informed.


6. Follow Up on Action Plans

During a conference or brief conversation in the classroom, you and your child's teacher may agree on an action plan. For example, they may offer to plan special activities at preschool to help refine your child's math skills. Let your child's teacher notice the changes that you see at home regarding the action plan so that they know what works.

At Kids & Company, we aim to foster strong relationships between parents and our staff. Contact us today to explore the benefits that our preschool classrooms offer for our youngest learners.

Kids running together — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

3 Major Benefits of Outdoor Play for Preschoolers

By Admin • May 30, 2019
If your child prefers the screen over the swing set, read this article to learn why preschoolers should play outside & how you can help them to enjoy it.
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Your Preschooler's Not a Morning Person? Prevent School Lateness

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Trying to get an uncooperative preschooler out the door and to school on time can be a challenge. So prepare ahead of time to make the mornings easier.
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Dealing With Separation Anxiety in Children

By Admin • January 30, 2019
Every child is different, and you never know when, or if, separation anxiety will become an issue. Some kids have no problem skipping into a child care center and are eager for Mom or Dad to leave. Others have a difficult time saying goodbye. Still other kids might have some days when they're excited for time with their friends and other days when they cling to a parent's leg. In these last cases, parents sometimes have trouble figuring out what triggers their child's separation anxiety. The good news is that there are ways to work through these separation anxiety issues. Compassionate caregivers at the child care center and understanding parents can help children through this important step that's just part of growing up.
Little girl playing colorful clays — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

Is Your Child Ready for Preschool?

By Admin • November 30, 2018
Deciding whether to send your child to preschool or not is one of the earliest decisions you make for your child's education. Your child's future success in school begins with making positive decisions based on their needs. While many preschools begin taking children while they are still toddlers, this does not mean you and your child are ready. You may want to ensure your child is emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively developed enough to attend an educational program with other children.  Continue reading to see if your child is ready to begin preschool.
Kids enjoying the toys — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

4 Ways Preschool Benefits Your Toddler

By Admin • October 7, 2018
Studies indicate that children who attend preschool are more prepared for kindergarten than those who do not. A quality preschool curriculum helps your child build a foundation of social and developmental skills that will them excel in school. Though there is no disputing the benefits of preschool, there is some controversy regarding when your child should start preschool and whether or not preschool benefits toddleraged children.  Most children start preschool between three and four years of age. However, you can find preschool programs for younger children as well. Young children, including toddlers, can benefit from these programs. Read on to understand a few of the benefits that preschool has for your toddler-aged child.
Teacher teaching the kids to write — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

Common Questions About Preschoolers, Activity, and Obesity

By Admin • August 6, 2018
Obesity is an epidemic that affects one in three American children, according to the American Heart Association. With a growing trend towards a sedentary lifestyle, including a heavier reliance on screens on less time spent outdoors or being active, it's easy to figure out why the number of young children who are overweight or obese is growing. As a parent, you may wonder what you can do to help your preschooler reduce the risk of obesity. Along with the daily physical activity your child gets during their preschool day, you can help them to eat right and stay active at home. Not only will regular physical activity help to keep your child at a healthy weight, but it will also improve both their fine (small) and gross (large) motor skills. These abilities are necessary for your child to do everything from buttoning their coat to walking up and down the stairs. How can you help your preschooler to combat the obesity epidemic? Look at some of the common questions that parents of prekindergarten children have about weight gain and a healthy lifestyle. 
Little girl with her guardian — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

3 Milestones That Mark Your Child's Readiness for Preschool

By Admin • June 8, 2018
Early education can set your child up for success later in life. Enrolling your child in a preschool class can be a great way to jump-start your child's education. Many parents assume that their child will be ready to enter preschool when they hit the age of eligibility, but this isn't true. Children develop at different rates, both physically and emotionally. Sending your child to preschool before he or she is ready could end in disaster. You should use more than just age to help you determine when your child is mature enough to attend preschool classes. Here are some basic guidelines.
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Tips for Protecting Your Preschooler's Health During Flu Season

By Admin • February 7, 2018
Flu season fills many parents with dread each year. It can seem inevitable that all the little ones in class will get it at some point. However, there are things you can do to decrease the odds of your children contracting the flu this year. Consider and follow these tips to protect the health of your preschoolers throughout flu season and beyond.
Teacher and students studying together — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

Technology Use in Preschool Programs

By Admin • December 11, 2017
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Kid blowing bubbles — Wilmington, NC — Kids & Company

Preschoolers and Independence: How to Help Your Child at Home

By Admin • October 11, 2017
Your preschooler is completely self-sufficient, in-control and an A+ listener—at school that is. Even though the teacher raves about your little learner's ability to follow directions, clean up after playtime and do things (such as putting on her own jacket) without adult help, you just aren't seeing those skills at home. What is going on? Don't stress. This is completely normal. The seemingly Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine of behaving one way at preschool and another way at home is common and typically isn't anything to worry about. Of course, that doesn't mean you won't daydream about your child acting like her school-self when she's around you. How can you help your preschooler to act independently, cooperate with you (or siblings) and behave in more acceptable ways at home? Take a look at these tips for getting your child to show off some of that "school-time" behavior when she's around you.
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