At any point in their schooling, a child can run into difficulties. This might be a simple delay in their learning or a more lasting disorder (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysorthographia, dysphasia…). In every case, communication between parents and teachers is essential, to ensure the child’s wellbeing at school and their overall development. Let’s take a look together at how to set this up.

Why should you discuss school difficulties with the teacher?

Whether or not they already benefit from a specific accommodation plan (such as a PAP or PPS, France’s personalised support plans), a child facing school difficulties deserves particular attention.

Parents are encouraged to open a regular line of communication with their child’s teacher(s) in order to:

  • Monitor academic progress: by staying informed of their child’s strengths and weaknesses, parents can better target the support they provide, where needed;
  • Spot deeper issues: with attentive, regular follow-up, it becomes possible to identify learning disorders (DYS), behavioural issues, or other personal difficulties at an early stage;
  • Build confidence: through a shared language, fostered by frequent exchanges between teachers and parents, the child grows up in a reassuring atmosphere, which can be a real source of motivation;
  • Personalise teaching: by listening to parents’ observations, teachers can adapt their teaching to the child’s needs and share tools and adjustments to use at home.

How can you maintain communication with the teacher?

Schools traditionally organise a parent-teacher meeting at the start of each school year. This one-on-one meeting is ideal for discussing your child’s difficulties, sharing your concerns as a parent, and asking questions about the best way to support them.

Given the large number of students a teacher has to follow, communicating by email remains the most suitable option, respecting their schedule and other personal priorities.

Keep in mind that it’s possible to set up a regular communication schedule with teachers to discuss your child’s progress. For example, once a month, you could review their grades, assessments and homework, to start a meaningful discussion and, if needed, set new goals.

Finally, as a parent, it’s essential to remain open to their feedback and respectful of their point of view: this is the key condition for a collaboration that is both harmonious and productive for your child.

Based on these exchanges, you’ll be able to guide them towards personalised school support, like the support offered on the Ora-Visio platform. Available online, professionals offer lessons tailored to students struggling at school, using innovative methods. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with them to find out more.