7 Reasons Why To Tell Your Child’s Teacher They’re Adopted
It takes more than a fun fancy backpack and new clothes to help your child have a successful year at school. Now that school is back in session it’s a good time to think about whether or not to inform you child’s teacher they’re adopted. Remember your child spends almost as much time every day with their teacher as they do with you. This list is meant to encourage you to have your child’s teacher on your team in order to better advocate for your child.
7 Reasons Why To Tell Your Child’s Teacher They’re Adopted
- It will make them more sensitive to class projects such as “Family Tree” and “Baby Pictures” that may cause your child emotional pain.
- They can encourage and educate your child’s peers about adoption.
- If your child has special needs it will help them to empathize with your child and to see past their label.
- They can help your child find adoption themed books to read for fun and school credit.
- They can openly communicate with you about both your child’s academic & emotional state in the classroom.
- They will be more sympathetic to your concerns for your child including having them tested for possible learning disabilities.
- They can connect your child with other adopted children in the school.
You don’t need to give the teacher your child’s entire background history. Just give details that you feel may be helpful to the teacher for them to better serve your child. For instance, if your child lived in an orphanage and had severe malnutrition this may have hindered their brain development or if your child has a trauma history this can affect their capacity to store information and they may require alternative learning methods.
We have always felt it’s best to have teachers be a part of the team for the betterment of our child. Adoption does not define your child, but it is a part of who they are. Giving your teacher the proper information could be the key component for your child’s success in the classroom.
What have been your experiences with informing your child’s teacher that they are adopted?
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I had never thought about this. My son’s preschool teacher knows he was adopted as we were in the process while he was at school and I invited everyone to his adoption party. I don’t know that I would have a formal conversation with the teacher about adoption but I’m sure they will know as it is such an open part of our lives.
I got some great advice from an elderly gentleman a few years back. I was at a cookout and there was nothing for me to eat because I’m a vegetarian. He said to me, “That’s your issue so you need to make others aware.” I thought it was a little harsh at first, but after processing it I realized that he was right.
Now apply this advice to your child’s teacher. They work with around 30 kids in their classroom. Each of those kids has a special circumstance of some kind from allergies to custody battles to learning disabilites. If you don’t make them aware of your child’s specific need then they are unable to cater to them. In order for everyone to be on the same team we first have to be on the same page.