Spend the whole day in school with your child. This participation will give you a snapshot of your child's classroom environment and will provide a point of reference for future discussions with either the teacher or your child. If you drop your child off at school every day, take this opportunity to walk your child into their classroom and have daily contact with their teacher. If an issue surfaces, this gives either of you the opportunity to bring it up and open the lines of communication. As concerns and questions surface, do not hesitate to call or e-mail your child's teacher.
Most teachers appreciate the opportunity to interact with their student's parents.
If you fear there is too much homework for your child, or the subject matter of assignments is too difficult or advanced, be prepared with examples. Ask other parents from the classroom if they are experiencing a similar situation. If your child continues to have a difficult time coping in school, despite your attempts at intervention and assistance, request a parent-teacher conference. Perhaps together, you can determine the root of your child's issues. In very rare cases, you might encounter a teacher who has limited or no interest in the success of your child as a student.