Interdependence (in-ter-di-pen-duhns) - dependence between 2 or more people...
Your kids can't do this alone. You can't do this alone. I can't do this alone. We, your child, you & me, need a team approach. We need to be interdependent upon one another.
In addition to conversations with your child, our web site, the School ToolBox, which is loaded with information & is updated regularly, email, phone calls, notes & face-to-face meetings, will be a helpful ways to keep everyone in the loop as to what is going on in our class.
Interdependent does NOT mean the adults do all the work. In fact it that is not what it means at all. Your role in all this is to keep yourself informed so that you can support whatever is going on that your child needs to accomplish. If you haven't already, this is the time to stop enabling your child & time to "able" them.
- Drive your child to the store for loose leaf, but don't drive to school with the forgotten ___?___.
- Set up a great place to be used as a "work zone," but don't do the work for your child.
- When your child comes home & is upset, empathize & help figure out how to solve the problem, don't solve it for him/her.
Remember when they were 2 & 3? "I can do it myself!" was what you heard & you did, you let them do, within reason of course. This age is no different. They want their independence. Let them have it, within reason of course. Let them find their way. Stumble. Fall. Blame. Get back up. Be themselves. They will be better for it. You will be better for allowing it. It's not easy, but it is necessary. And there is a benefit for you, too. You will have more time for yourself. Wouldn't that be nice?
I am here to help. Help you. Help your child. Contact me...note, email, phone, set up a time to come in. I will do my best to help. Remember, teachers are human beings. Teachers have feelings. Teachers have a family. Teachers have a life beyond school. In addition to your child, teachers have a lot of other students to care of.
"A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference." ~ Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne