What To Do When You Just Don't Seem To "Click" With Your Child's Preschool Teacher

3 August 2016
 Categories: Education & Development, Blog


You want preschool to be a wonderful and educational experience for your child, so if your child's teacher ends up being someone you just don't seem to "click" with, it's normal to feel a bit annoyed and frustrated. What's important to realize, however, is that your child's teacher could be a completely effective, excellent teacher in spite of not quite jiving with your own personality or preconceived expectations. Follow these steps to determine if there really is an issue that's worth worrying about and acting on.

1. Be patient and observe your child's reactions.

Everyone has bad days. It could be that the day you interacted with the teacher, he or she was dealing with some personal issues, was completely overwhelmed at work, or even had a headache. Don't be so quick to judge. Give the teacher a few weeks, and pay attention to other interactions you have with him or her. Your opinion may change. Also, observe the way your child reacts to the teacher. You might think a teacher is overly bubbly, cold-hearted, or quirky, but if your child reacts positively to them, that's what really matters.

If after a few weeks, something about the teacher still makes you feel uneasy and anxious, then move onto the next step.

2. Figure out exactly what it is that's not sitting well with you.

Just because you can't picture the teacher being your best friend or a part of your family does not mean they're not doing their job well or that there is anything to complain about. So, you need to pinpoint just what it is that you don't like about this person. Do they ignore the kids' needs and speak over them? Maybe they don't take parent requests seriously. If the issue is something that can, potentially, be changed or addressed, then it's worth your while to move onto the next step. But if you decide you just don't like the teacher because their voice is too shrill, they sing too much, or their clothes don't match, you're better off just learning to accept these difference.

3. Speak with the administrators (if needed).

If you do decide that the issue is something that can reasonably be addressed, the best approach is to talk to one of the school administrators about it. Be polite in this endeavor. State exactly what the issue is, and advise how you'd like to see it addressed. For example, if you think the teacher is rude to the kids instead of letting them talk, you could say "I've notice that Teacher X interrupts the kids a lot and does not let them speak. I'm worried this is teaching my child that his voice is not important. Would you be able to address this issue with the teacher?" A good administrator will listen to your concerns and address the issue with the teacher in a kind and professional manner.

Keep in mind that you're not going to love every teacher your child has. In many cases, as long as the teacher is not doing any harm to the student, it's best to remember that in life, your child will be exposed to many different people. Having to deal with various teacher styles and personalities will help prepare them for this. Contact a school in your area, like Learning Tree Schools, for more help.


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