To ask you to help me to become a promising teacher....

[Superchop]

I will keep this short, and I am not attempting to provoke anyone.

I will be starting my Pgce (teacher training) in September, to become an early years teacher. There is a major emphasis on communicating and involving parents/carers hence this thread... So what would you like from your child's teacher?

Try to remember that all children need to have a turn at being child of the Week, or whatever reward your school employs.

Yeah, and it shouldn't always be a child who usually tends to misbehave suddenly behaving for a week that gets it, the consistent children should get a go too. It's always on the threads about those type of things that a lot of children who always behave well just fly under the radar for it.

Mine's not at that stage yet, but from what I read on MN I would say:

• make sure that every child gets a turn at star of the week or whatever.
• write in coherent correct English.
• don't forget the quiet children.
• remember that there is more to life than being able to read and write so its nice to praise them for helping, or being especially good.
• keep a tidy cloakroom and try and keep on top of lost property.

I've just passed my NQT year and it is the most rewarding job. Good luck OP x

There are pros and cons to everything. Please don't apply negative labels to children but positive ones with drawbacks eg a loud and opinionated child may be confident but still developing appropriate emotional and social skills

I think it's important to include the child in their education. My DD (6yrs) often says that she wants to know how she is getting on, and would really appreciate a check with the teacher some time.

DD's school does a mathematician of the week and a reader of the week prize - I would rather there was a hard worker of the week prize.

Be fun and let the children know you like them. my dd's teacher runs round the class cackling and high fiving them - she is awesome!

Don't shout. My dd hates shouty teachers and often dreads the day a week they spend with one.

Remember not to let parent helpers go into your class if their child is in there, they're just spies.

One more thing - let them know it's ok to get things wrong. A lot of children hate looking stupid in front of their friends so if you can put a positive spin of errors that would be great.

Remember that sometimes the little things can be really important to a young child. DD went to meet her new teacher last week. She asked the class to tell her something about themselves so she could start to get to know them. That is, all the children except the small handful she already knew something about. This left a very deflated DD when it came to her turn and the teacher said, "Oh yes, Taz DD, I know your brother" and moved onto the next child without DD being able to say anything.

Be sensitive!

Oh god yes NEVER compare and contrast with siblings!

Also telling it like it is you do parents no favours by making out their child is something their not I often think some people need telling in simple terms my son was bullied for years because teachers were to afraid to give the boys parents some home truths

Ooh, I've got another one! If you are scared of or intimidated by some parents, don't let that affect how you treat their child or how you treat other children in the class to avoid any situations involving speaking with said parents.

I have just PM'd you SuperChop don't be alarmed! I am not a stalker