Advice from a teacher: 3 back-to-school tips every parent should know
While the school year may be new for parents and their children, teachers have some of the best advice to help get the year started right.
Faculty members who have decades of experience in the school system shared with WRAL three back-to-school tips they say every parent should know.
Mrs. Evelyn Cheek works at Powell Center for Play and Ingenuity Magnet Elementary School, and she’s been teaching 4th grade for 31 years.
Her first piece of advice for parents is to make sure their kids are prepared:
"Make sure that they have all their materials ready for learning," she said. "Make sure that they have had a good night's rest at night."
While the amount of sleep students need depends on age, Cheek says 8:30 p.m. is good target for elementary school.
According to Cheek, parents should also make sure they ask their child’s teacher these important questions:
- What is the homework policy?
- How much homework do they have?
- What are your morning procedures?
- What routines do you have throughout the day?
- What is their schedule like?
The third and perhaps most important piece of advice for parents comes from Powell's principal.
"Just be here and be present as a parent," he said. "We really need parents to be collaborative with us to help for the success of their child.”
Finally, teachers have some great advice for after the first day of school.
They recommend that parents avoid starting with questions like, "What did you learn?” and “How was school?” because kids are likely to respond with one word like “nothing” or “fine.”
Instead, start by asking, “What did you do that was fun in school today?” or “Did someone make you laugh today?”
