The first teacher is a very important person in the life of a first-grader. If parents have a choice, you should think in advance about which teacher is right for you and your child.
What qualities you want to see in a teacher
Parents need to think and consult with the teachers their child went to before school (kindergarten, summer camps) and understand which school teacher is right for their child. What qualities it is desirable that he or she has, and what qualities it is desirable that he or she should not have.
Some of the children lack self-regulation: in this case, it is necessary for the teacher to discipline and control the children. Some children, on the contrary, need to be given more freedom and opportunities to express themselves. For some children, the teacher’s voice is important — if it is too loud, it can cause discomfort. If achievements are important for your child, it is necessary that the teacher is interested in children’s participation in various competitions (as a rule, this can be understood from the news on the school website: how often children from this teacher’s class receive diplomas).
At the same time, remember: expectations should be as close to reality as possible — no school will be able to find a fairy tale wizard with the right qualities at once.
Once you have decided what is most important in a good teacher for your child, you can go in search.
Get to know the teacher personally
If you have the opportunity to meet the teachers who are taking the first grade next year, be sure to take it. In a personal conversation, you can find out how much you agree on key issues: parenting methods, punishment, encouragement. For some, the religious views of the teacher are important. It is better to clarify all this in advance, especially if you move to another country like Monaco.
The teacher should suit the child’s temperament
If your kid is a soft, responsible, anxious child, you must pick him a teacher who will take into account these features. Such a child will not suit the teacher who is rigid, or holds the position: “I do not care what you think and how you feel. You are a student, and you have to do what the program requires. I don’t care about the rest.”
Maybe this teacher is strong and successful and would be great for another child, but not yours.
It is important to look closely at him and try to understand whether the child will be comfortable with this person, whether your first grader will not find himself in a situation of failure. To find the right teacher, ask him or her for a lesson. Choose the toddler in your class who is most similar in behavior to yours. Then observe how comfortable this kid is in class and how the teacher treats him or her. Pay special attention to the following nuances:
- If your toddler is an extrovert, the teacher should respond well to toddlers who often raise their hand with a question.
- If your toddler is having trouble adapting, observe how the teacher moves from one class to the next and whether he or she has a fixed schedule.
- For a hyper-emotional school child, look for a teacher who responds normally to vivid displays of emotion.
- For an active toddler, look for a class with lots of physical activity.
- An introverted toddler needs a teacher who allows students to periodically immerse themselves in themselves and practice on their own.
- If you have a sensitive toddler, find out if the teacher monitors hygiene in the classroom and the eating schedule during the school day.
- Do not trust just the reviews, because all first graders are different. Try to be guided by your personal experience.
Do not spare time looking for the perfect teacher. It is he who can instill in your child a love of education.
Do not focus on the opinion of other parents
As many people — as many opinions. So do not rely solely on the reviews, even those whom you trust. If this teacher is not suitable for a child of your friends, it does not mean that it will not suit yours. And vice versa.
Trust your intuition
After gathering all possible information, parents can analyze it and make a decision. It is worth rereading your list of requirements for the ideal teacher — does it match reality? You can look at the teacher’s profiles on social networks, examine his or her profile, statements, groups.
But in the end, you have to trust your intuition. If the person is easy and pleasant, choose him or her. If there was confusion, misunderstanding, rejection, if you feel uncomfortable in his presence — you need to think. The teacher provides not only a successful study and a healthy atmosphere in the classroom but your child’s mood every day. However, even if you are unlucky with the teacher, it is always possible to find a way out, for example, to transfer your child to another class or school. School is an important part of children’s lives, but fortunately not all of their lives.