How to Help Your Child Be the Teacher’s Pet (or at least a respectful and responsible class-member), by Dr. Brad Schwall

Though the goal truly is not to be the “teacher’s pet” or receive special treatment, teachers work hard and they deserve and appreciate positive classroom behavior.  Share these tips with your students to help them be positive members of their classes.

Raise your hand

Ask for permission to speak.  Do not blurt out answers or interrupt.

Cooperate with teachers and peers

Do what your teacher asks you to do.  Find solutions that everyone can agree to when you disagree with friends.

Listen

Know when to listen.  Be quiet, be still, look, listen, and think about what the person is saying.

Follow directions

Make sure you understand the direction, and know what you need to do.  Make a plan for following the direction, and do it.

Be fun, but at the right times

It’s nice to joke and have fun, but know when it is OK to have fun and when you need to be serious, concentrate, and work.

Be helpful

Offer to help.  Hold doors open.  Pick up trash.

Talk and act with respect

Say, “Thank you.”  Use a respectful tone of voice.  Respect the property of others.  Include others.  Look people in the eye.  Smile.

The same tips apply for parents and teachers at work and meetings and in their interactions with children and other adults.  Children imitate the behavior of adults. Social and emotional skills help make classrooms and communities positive places to learn and live. 

Copyright 2009 Dr. Brad Schwall Permission granted for distribution.

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