Life with Lowe: Communicating with Teachers

As a special needs parent, I feel like I always have to ask more questions or constantly follow-up with questions because if I don’t, I won’t ever know all I need or should know.   It’s one of those things you learn as you go, I suppose.

Recently, I wrote my son’s teacher to explain he wouldn’t be in class that day due to a medical appointment that would take a few hours (he only goes a half-day). She wrote back and also happened to send along a link from YouTube with songs that they were learning in class. I just wish I had known about these songs sooner.

Here’s why. Noah had an speech/eating evaluation and the therapist was trying to get him to eat and of course that day, he wouldn’t eat very much. I got out my phone and found the songs his teacher mentioned on YouTube and hoped that by playing a song or two, he would settle down, refocus and eat something while watching his video. It worked but something even better took place. A version of “If you’re happy and you know it,” came on and out of nowhere Noah sings (in his own way–more of a hum really), and even mimics the movements to what was happening during the song in the video. He’s never done that before. I was just stunned. He’ll mimic something we do from time to time but to watch him actually do the specific moves in the song, was completely new for me. I was beyond excited. I almost forgot we were there for an evaluation. I wanted to just pack up, go home and show my husband what Noah could do. Which of course, I did when I got home later that afternoon.

My point is, Noah has apparently heard this song in class and has learned the movements to the song. Why didn’t his teacher inform me more specifically what he was learning? I feel like I should have known he could do this. I would love to practice those things at home too. I think it’s wonderful. It shows progress with Noah. I just wish I knew sooner.

Noah does come home with a daily activity/learning sheet of things they did in a general sense. However, just being a little more specific and telling the parents, “Hey, this particular song we’ve been learning in class. Go to this link and practice with your child.”

Just solid communication. It is a two-way street. It just always feels more one-sided. I’ll get answers. Eventually. I just don’t know what or when to ask sometimes. I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining. I think his school and his teachers are wonderful with him. Being in school has been greatly beneficial to Noah. It just seems like I should have known by now that my son could mimic movements to certain songs than just happening to find out because I decided to use the link his teacher sent.

The same thing goes with therapies he receives every week at school. We, of course, do the IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting before the beginning of the school year that focuses on what goals and objectives for Noah to work on during the school year. However, to know specifically what they are doing so I could help Noah more at home with the things he has learned, would be nice.

(Check out Noah in action!)

I am and always will be, Noah’s biggest supporter. He can and will do the things we all do. He just has to work harder and I’ll do what I can to help him get there. I don’t want to be that annoying mom who’s constant with the calls and emails but I will if I have to, for Noah’s sake.