We entrust our children to schools for up to eight hours daily, sometimes even longer. During the week, their teachers spend more time with them than we do. While parental influence is paramount, it’s unrealistic to claim that teachers, who spend significant time with our children, have little to no impact on their mindset and wellbeing.
What actually happens at school? After a long day, children often respond to our questions with brief grunts like “Yes,” “Okay,” and “Fine,” leaving parents with minimal insight into their day.
The longer the school day, the less parents know about what occurs. To address this, I compiled concerns from other parents into a list of crucial questions to ask teachers. The answers might surprise you.
What prompted me to write this column is unsettling: A friend’s son repeatedly asked his teacher to use the restroom for a number two but was denied. He returned home in tears and distress. While teaching focus and self-control is important, denying restroom access isn’t the way. It’s crucial to assess a child’s immediate needs.
What concerns me most is the assumption that children are often dishonest. There’s a lack of trust and connection. It’s time to ask meaningful questions to educate our children through understanding, not fear.
Question 1: Can my child use the restroom when needed?
Inquire about the restroom policy and how it’s communicated to children. This helps prepare your child for what to expect in coordination with the teacher.
Question 2: Are children allowed to use iPads during breaks or as rewards?
Children sometimes use iPads without educational purposes. For instance, a child might play a game after completing schoolwork early. This practice is more common than assumed, so it’s worth asking about.
Question 3: Do children use VR headsets and headphones?
Exposing young children to VR headsets and headphones is unnecessary. Research highlights potential harm, and there’s insufficient evidence on the benefits of extensive ed-tech on children’s learning and wellbeing.
Question 4: Is playtime taken away as punishment?
Ironically, children behave better with more playtime. Removing it harms classroom wellbeing and discourages children, leading only to frustration and fear.
Question 5: Are time-outs or detentions used?
In one school, “calm down corner” was a euphemism for time-out. Any situation where a child is isolated for misbehavior qualifies as a time-out, regardless of the terminology used.
Question 6: What is the hydration policy?
Can children keep water bottles at their desks? Are they allowed water breaks? How often do they drink water, and are they reminded to hydrate? For younger children, is supervision provided?
Question 7: What are the policies on phones, smartwatches, and computers?
Are these devices allowed in hallways? How is phone usage controlled? What is the campus social media policy, and what are the consequences for misuse?
These questions might seem unnecessary, but they are vital for understanding your child’s school experience and wellbeing. Stay tuned for part 2.
Follow Kavita on conscious.parent/www.raising-hearts.com
wknd@khaleejtimes.com
