"Only Proactive Parents Need Apply"

We would be unlikely to see such a sign, and yet it contains a good reminder for us. Nothing happens without effort. We can hope and wish all we like for change, but until we take action, it will only be hopes and wishes.

Our children's education is no different.

Why did I write a book for 'proactive parents'? Surely, as some people have suggested, it is the ones who aren't proactive who need the help. The reality is that only the proactive ones are willing to do what is necessary to bring about change.

Having worked with more than 300 children and their families, I have had the opportunity to talk with and observe many degrees of willingness. It is only the parents who are prepared to be proactive, to play a part in their children's education as needed, who make a difference to the outcomes.

Some families I have seen have wished for change, but shied away from taking any action. Sometimes they have convinced themselves that 'it will work out in the end'. Inevitably I hear from them again before long often with a request about what can be done, or a recount of the current woes.

It is a very rare situation where parents of gifted children can remain observers to their child's education and all goes smoothly. Teachers are busy. They have a whole class of children with a range of learning abilities and needs. They also only see your child for part of a day generally just for a year. The chances of them 'getting' your child and knowing what to do to keep them moving along the path towards thriving in the space of a whole school year is rare. In the first days, weeks or terms, far rarer.

And yet proactive parents can help teachers greatly. Identifying your child's needs and capacities take a load off the teacher. It is work you have done for them (actually you have done it for your child and it will be a lasting action, but for now let's just focus on the teacher). Building positive relationships with teachers also removes some strain - they know you do not come on the attack even if you do have something you need to discuss. You have a wealth of knowledge about your child that a teacher can only access if you share it with them. Only you know what your child's 'natural state' is. Working together as a team can bring much greater results. In fact it is really the only way to get results.

So what about the parents who aren't yet feeling proactive? There is actually something for them too- if they are willing to take the steps towards being proactive. The first part of my book Gifted and Thriving at School: How proactive parents can get the education that fits their child  talks about some of the things that make use hesitate and provides some ideas about how to move past it.

But in the end, you will need to decide to take action. This isn't a book to convince you you should, it is one to help you on your way once you have.

You can get your copy of Gifted and Thriving at School from Thinking Ahead for $25. And you can sign up for some support and advocacy updates as well. Bonus!