Creating the conditions for success in school

Creating the conditions for success for your child in his or her school involves many elements. On the school side the most notable elements that foster inclusion are:

?The school leadership

?The school culture*

* The best definition of culture that we have ever heard is 'the way we do things around here'.

On the family side, the elements within your control as a family include:

?Developing a positive parent/school partnership.

?Sharing really useful information about what works for your child.

?Working with your child on their image, reputation and competencies.

Building positive relationships with the school from day one means that the principal, staff and resource teachers are more likely to work with you if you come up against difficulties during the school year.

Because you know your child really well, you are an essential partner in your child's education and as such you are able to assist the school to understand what the right supports and the right environment look like in order for your child to flourish (see the triangle above).

Perhaps without thinking about it, you will already have used this information to select their current school. Find your allies in school and work really hard to develop good relationships with them.

Using the triangle above as a conceptual framework, use your advocacy as a family to try to better shape the environment and the supports for your child in school.

What measures can can you take to support your child to show up in school ready to learn each day? The good news is you are already doing this. Think about the million and one things that you do as a parent to ensure that your child/ren are well rested, have had their breakfast, are wearing their uniform (if required) and have all the equipment they need for the day, including books, homework, P.E. kit, lunch and so on.

In Leap we think it is even more important for children with disabilities to convey a positive image to other children. This helps them to belong and helps other children to better identify with them.

So how can we assist with this as parents? Think about what you can do to enhance their image and reputation - it is the little things done consistently that count here. Things here include a child's general appearance, their manners and social behaviour, such as turn taking and doing what they are told in a timely fashion. We know from our own experience as parents, that sometimes life can be very hectic with lots of things competing for your attention; and it is easy to overlook the little things.

If they can't yet do some of the things that their peers do, make sure that you convey this positively to the school (you could use a one page profile - see our previous post) and describe to the school what good support looks like in order for your child to succeed with that activity/task.

Being responded to positively makes all children feel good about themselves and means they are more likely to be accepted and treated well by others, including their teachers.