Using Parent - Teacher Communication to Help Your Child in Math

If your child has learning disabilities in basic math or applied math or simply has occasional problems with math, communicating with his teacher is an important part of identifying and dealing with problems at school and home. Helping your child manage his learning disability in math requires regular communication with his teacher, clear communication about specific problems, and communication of strategies that help.

Communicate Regularly

• Agree on a communication method and schedule that works for both of you, and strive to keep it positive. Be respectful of each other's time constraints.
• Begin communication with your child's math teacher early in the year to introduce yourself and ask what math concepts will be taught. Find out if there are supplemental materials you can get to help your child at home.
• Ask the teacher for suggestions on how to communicate during the year. Using an assignment notebook to share weekly comments and suggestions, instruction sheets sent home with assignments, email, and class web pages are examples.
• If possible, give your child some responsibility for carrying notes to and from school. If your child is not ready for that responsibility, begin to teach him. Using positive reinforcement can help until she learns to manage it herself. Work with your child to help her communicate positively about her learning problems as well.

Communicate Clearly About Math Problems

• Stay nearby your child to wathch what kinds of errors he makes. Having your child explain how he worked problems can help you determine where he needs help. Write down your observations to share with his teachers.
• Learn about the common mistakes students make in math so you will recognize them when you see them.

Communicate with Teachers on Strategies to Help

• As the parent, your are an part of your child's success.
• Even if you do not feel capable of helping, don't be shy about telling your child's teacher if you don't know how to help your child. For many of us, myself included, math was not an easy subject in school. For others, it's been years since we did more complex math than balancing a checkbook. Teachers may have materials to help you refresh these skills and help your child at the same time. Be honest with your child, and let him know it is difficult for you too. Your child will always remember your positive attitude in the face of difficulty.
• Ask your child's teacher what strategies you can use to assist your child. Teachers may have handouts to help parents understand the teaching methods they are using in class.
• If strategies used in class do not seem to be working for your child, ask the teachers about modifications that may help. Is your child getting the instructional support he needs?
• If your child's emotions and frustration levels concern you, discuss it with his teacher and identify ways to help.
• Don't forget the breaks! Ask teachers for recommendations on strategies and materials you can use to help your child learn over school breaks and to prepare for the coming school year.