As parents, we know what it is like to love a child.  As parents and learning specialists, we know how to advocate for them.

Here are 10 steps to make you a more effective advocate for your child.

When an issue comes up in school, try to:

1.    Stay calm: Learn to temper your emotions by being rational.  You will be better suited to come to a resolution.

2.    Go to the teacher first, then the administration:  While it is important that administrators know you and your child, following the chain of command keeps the relationship strong between you and the person who has the most contact with your child.

3.    Be direct: Say what you’re feeling and thinking in a concise manner.  This will help you and the school get to the heart of the issue.

4.    Put it in writing first:  Send an email with your issue.  This puts a time stamp on the issue and gives the school time to prepare feedback.

5.    Have a face-to-face appointment:  Don’t resolve the issue in an email dialog; this can become confusing for everyone. Set up a specific time to have your concerns heard and hear all sides of the issue.  If face-to-face is not possible, phone conversations may offer similar benefits.  If necessary, ask for an administrator to be present.

6.    Learn to listen: Children are different at school and at home.  The school may know information about your child that you don’t.  Learn to consider the school’s point of view when making decisions.

7.    Develop S.M.A.R.T goals with the school to help your child:  These are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.  These types of goals are most easily monitored.

8.    Figure out a plan for the child to understand the issue and how it is being addressed:  The child is a key part in the issue and its resolution.  He needs to understand how his efforts will help bring success.  Parents and the school team each have a role in discussing the plan with the child.

9.    Set a follow-up meeting:  Know when the next progress benchmark is planned for the goals you have set and meet to review what has transpired. Have email or phone check-ins along the way to make sure everyone is on the same page and that progress is being made.

10.         Remember the goal:  You are seeking to build a warm, supportive experience for your child where he can thrive.  Your school is trying to do the same.  Seek common ground and form a partnership so that your child can be the best he can be.

Using these strategies puts the emphasis on helping solve your child’s issue.  It reduces the chance of a power struggle and makes everyone feel supportive and supported. These strategies are helpful in both the near- and long-term.   They strengthen the home-school partnership, which is key for academic success.  Good Luck!  Let us know if we can be of further help.

Matthew Mandelbaum and Jamie Cohen are parents and learning specialists and are the creators of Jumping Joey’s Number Line. Jumping Joey’s Number Line is an innovative, child-centered, multi-sensory arithmetic learning system for Pre-K through Elementary. Jumping Joey’s Number Line fosters enjoyable, engaging, effective and efficient mathematical experiences, where students are motivated and build a strong math foundation with long-term understanding. Students feel successful and excited about learning opportunities, and confident in their emerging abilities.