As the school year begins, parents, students and educators must work together as a collaborative, cohesive, collective unit in order to provide the support that students need to be successful as learners throughout the year. You can think about this relationship as a triangle, where each leg must both balance and prop up the other legs in order for the relationships to hold their collective shape.
Each leg must be able to stand on its own, but also must work with the other legs to support each of the others in the relationship. This can sometimes be a slippery slope. Both parents and educators think they know what is best for the child in a learning environment. The child thinks they know how they learn best and what they need to feel supported. The challenge lies in being able to clearly and concisely communicate with each of the other parts in the triangle without creating or fostering conflict between the various participants.
It is critical to keep in mind that each of you has the same goal in mind; helping the child be and feel that they are succeeding at learning what they need to know in order to grow into a prosperous adult. If everyone keeps that in mind, that each of you is doing his or her best to contribute to that goal in meaningful ways, the collective relationship between each of the three parties will work together to do exactly that. But, it is important to keep in mind that a triangle must remain balanced. No one leg can be stronger than the others. Each must use their strengths and insights to bolster the process and the relationships and keep the goal in mind without attempting to overpower the others.
So, how do we do that exactly? It may sound good, and it actually is the best way for children to grow up feeling supported as successful learners. However, as is sometimes the case, words get said, feelings get hurt, trust is undermined and relationships suffer as a result. It helps to keep in mind that we are all collectively working on the same goal. If we stop and think before we do or say something unkind, that is critical. The best piece of advice that I have ever been given is by Aunt Wanda. She told me:
“Darling, when you get into a tough situation, breathe through your nose: it keeps your mouth shut.”
It was a simple sentence, shared with me by an amazing woman, and it has served me well many times over the years. It is a fitting quote to include in this post and can be applied to communicating with the other members of your child’s or students’ triangle.
Maria Montessori said:
“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”
When we work together as students, parents and educators to provide a safe, collaborative, cohesive, connected and supportive relationship and environment for students to learn, grow and thrive, the possibilities can truly be endless…..
