As the school year draws to a close, your thoughts may turn to the upcoming year. Maybe my child won’t be ready, or will the new teacher know how to work with him/her? If you’re considering how to prepare your child for the following school year then you’re already ahead of the game. Parents of children with special needs should think about these concerns.

There are ways to prepare for the next year before it arrives.  Make sure you have a current copy of your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), if one exists. Review it and get answers to questions now from the current teacher. Also, ask the teacher for suggestions on continuing practice at home during the summer break. Often times teachers will have extra materials, or practice work they can give you. It’s good to get an idea of the expectations for next year’s grade level or placement. Continue to review learned material, but preview skills for next year too.

Find out from the teacher or the school’s office the name of next year’s teacher, if available. If so, you may want to meet with him/her and share information about your child’s education plan. If you can’t meet with them before the end of the year, plan on getting together at the beginning of the year. It will be beneficial to you, your child, and the teacher to take care of concerns before they arise.

Working on your child’s skills over the break contributes to a good start in the fall. The next term may be challenging if you are not prepared. Being an active participant, providing information, and working together with the new teacher can be the foundation for a successful education.