Benefits for the Parents Parents can get to know the teacher and gradually build a trusting relationship that will form the basis for further communication. Parents can observe the teacher and feel more confident about leaving their child with a stranger. Parents can gain useful, first-hand information about the program, learn more about child guidance, seek advice and share more detailed information about the child. Questions about the program may arise sooner and can be discussed informally so that there will not be any misunderstandings later on. Parents will feel they are more involved with an important part of the child's world.
Parents have an opportunity to understand and share their child's experiences.
Parents can feel valued by the teacher and give input into the child's program. The teacher can see the child in a more relaxed state, observe any likes and dislikes and follow them up when the separation occurs. The teacher can watch the child engage in spontaneous play and notice how the level of play and physical movement change when the parent is gone. The teacher can make tentative overtures of friendship that are more likely to be accepted if the parent is in the room helping the child feel more secure. The teacher can see how the parent and child interact, what behaviour the parent expects of the child, what types of play are engaged in, and how the child is positively reinforced.