Here we are a few weeks into the school year. Some parents may want to request for in home providers to go into school and observer the child. Requesting a classroom observation can be difficult and I often get a lot of questions from parents on how to approach the teachers. Here are a few tips on how to keep things child focused and accomplish a lot in a short time.

First of all, it is important for the teachers to be on board and feel comfortable with another person in the classroom.
Please remember that the teachers, just like all of us, can be very sensitive and react when their feelings are hurt by statements that imply that they are being observed to be criticized or they are not competent to deal with your child. In the classroom they are the “boss” and we really need them to be on our side. Our goal is to cooperate with the teachers and not get into power struggles.

Here are a few ideas that we may need to keep in mind when requesting or scheduling a school observation:

1. Be aware of the language you use when requesting an observation. Avoid using the following phrases/words:
- “I would like for a professional to come in and observe” – this implies that the teachers are not professionals and it may offend them.
- “I will bring an advocate to observe” – using the word “advocate” anywhere in your conversation will make the teachers very nervous as the word implies that you need someone to fight for your child which implies that your teacher is messing up somewhere.
- “Can X come in and observe? She is doing a great job with him/her” – this implies that the teacher is not doing a good job.
When statements similar to the ones stated above are used we usually go in and find a very defensive teacher –this does not help any of the parties involved. At that point we have to take time and explain that we are there to help the child and not criticize the teacher.

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:
- Always praise the teacher for helping your child – remember that reinforcement goes a long way. When you feel appreciated you are more willing to help.
- Always let the teachers know that you want to help and not create problems. You are bringing someone in to help the child and not to criticize the teacher.
- Always let the teachers know that we are there because we know your child and not because we know how they should run their classroom.

2. Maintain professionalism but do not take it over the top. The teachers need to know that you respect them as professionals but also that you are open and easy to approach. You need to come off as easy to approach in order for the teachers to be comfortable talking to you. If a teacher has to “prepare” every time she comes out to see you she may want to cut all your conversations short – this is not going to help you gain information to help your child.

3. It is OK for you to say “I don’t know” if the teacher is asking a more complex question regarding suggestions. This could be a great opportunity to bring up another professional’s name as long as you do it in a way that is not offensive. You may say something like: “I don’t know about that. But, I will ask X. She has helped us with similar issues in the past”