Title: Helping Children Adjust to Divorce: A Guide for Teachers | MU Extension
Headings: Helping Children Adjust to Divorce: A Guide for Teachers
Helping Children Adjust to Divorce: A Guide for Teachers
Kim Leon
Human Development State Extension Specialist
Leanne Spengler
Human Development Specialist, Pike County
(opens in new window) Approach
(opens in new window) Attitudes
(opens in new window) Atmosphere
(opens in new window) Communicating with both parents
(opens in new window) Involving the nonresidential parent in school activities
(opens in new window) Sensitivity to family diversity
(opens in new window) Action
(opens in new window) Provide resources to promote positive parent-child relationships
(opens in new window) Encourage all parents to monitor their children's school progress
(opens in new window) Encourage all parents to engage in learning activities with their child at home
(opens in new window) Encourage parent networking
(opens in new window) Classroom activities and materials
(opens in new window) Conclusion
(opens in new window) References

Content: A third element of working with parents as partners is mutual problem-solving. When a problem arises, the teacher and parent work together to solve the problem. Both teacher and parent provide their perspectives on the problem and come up with solutions together. (opens in new window) Attitudes
Attitudes can foster partnership or create a barrier to partnership. Viewing parent involvement as a continuum, rather than categories (uninvolved vs. involved) helps develop partnerships with parents. This means taking the perspective that all parents are involved to some degree. Some parents are involved at a high level, acting as active partners and educational leaders at home and school, whereas others are involved at lower levels, acting as a recipients of education and support from the school. For parents experiencing transitions such as divorce or remarriage, lower levels of involvement may be all that are possible. Attitudes are often shaped by our own experiences, professional and personal, in childhood and adulthood. For example, if your parents are divorced or you have experienced a divorce, those experiences may color your attitudes about divorced parents and their children.