22/01/2024
The Growing Space are superstars when it comes to user friendly real life support and suggestions.
Thank you Sam and the team for sharing this we love what you guys do and are about.
📝 Hey parents and caregivers! Time to write letters to your child's teacher.
👨 Have you done yours for this year?
👩🏫 Check out this draft to get started. It's a good base, and you can tweak it to fit your child.
🕒Count down is on! T-Minus 7 days!
Dear Mr/Mrs ###,
I am X###’s parent. X### will be in your class this year and I’m looking forward to working with you this year.
I thought I’d give you a brief outline of who X### is, and some info that might help you have an awesome year together.
1. Stuff I’m *really* into:
2. Things that really motivate me/ and ways to get me to be engaged/involved:
3. Stuff that scares me:
4. About my stamina:
5. Stuff I’m really good at:
6. Areas I’d most like to improve:
7. Interesting quirks of mine – sensory issues etc:
8. Health issues you should know about and how they affect ### at school:
9. How to read/prevent/manage a meltdown:
10. Ideas for minimising behaviours that aren’t helpful at school:
11. A bit about my family, pets etc, and what we did in the holidays:
12. A photo of me and my family
13. Other professionals in my life you may wish (and have my permission) to contact at some stage include:
What to expect from me:
I am a pretty involved parent. I like to know what’s going on at school, but I don’t want to interfere with your job. I want you to know I am available by phone/email/text/carrier pigeon and hope and expect to be contacted with your queries, and absolutely as soon as anything looks like it might be hitting the fan. If you would like support from a therapist (OT/Speech etc) please let me know and I will do my best to make it happen.
What I would love from you:
The sooner I know about any behavioural issues that are emerging, the better I can support you and we can be on the same page at home and school. I can support you by following through and using the same language and agreed consequences (including rewards) to help X### make the most from school and friends.
Do you prefer email, phone, or a drop in before/after school to stay in touch? I’d also like to set up a face-to-face meeting half way through first term so we can check in, and one each term after that.
Can I also ask you to keep an eye out for which other kids in the class my kiddo is making a connection with, as I’d like to setup some playdates etc., but it’s hard for me to know which relationships might be good to encourage.
Thank you in advance for your work this year. I know that X### will need more of your time and energy than some of the other kids, but I want you to know I am grateful and my guess and hope is that you and X### will grow and learn together this year, as well as have great fun!
Many thanks,
X######
My email address is:
My Phone number is:
--Sam Paior
copyright The Growing Space, Jan 2022
You're welcome to share and use this letter anyway you like for your own child. It you are using or sharing for your organisation or business, I do ask that you give credit, and don't edit. Thanks 🙂
Pic desc: a photo of two young lads (Sam's sons, shared with their permission) from 15 years ago when the little dude started school. They have beaming smiles and are wearing green and blue school uniform polo shirts and have school backpacks on.
