How To Write A Letter Describing Your Child To A Teacher

How to Write a Friendly Letter to Your Child’s Teacher

1. Start with the Basics

First off, introduce your child and your family. It’s always nice for the teacher to know a little bit about who they’ll be spending their days with. Share what makes your child awesome—their gifts, talents, and quirks. It helps the teacher connect with them right away.

Once you’ve highlighted your child’s strengths (because every kid has them!), you can mention any challenges they might face. But here’s the key—don’t just talk about the struggles. Share what’s worked in the past to help your child overcome them.

For example, you might say, “My son sometimes has trouble focusing, but we’ve found that letting him [insert strategy] really helps him stay on task.” This shows that you’re ready to work together with the teacher to find solutions.

2. Include the Nitty-Gritty Details

If your child’s teacher hasn’t already given you a list of things they’d like to know, here are some ideas to get you started:

For Kids in Grades K-2:

• What’s your child’s past school experience been like?
• How do they feel about school—are they excited, nervous, or somewhere in between?
• What’s their learning style? Do they love hands-on activities, or are they more visual learners?
• What kind of environment helps them thrive—structured, independent, calm?
• What are their strengths and areas where they might need a little extra help, both academically and socially?
• What hobbies or activities do they enjoy?
• What are your hopes and goals for them this school year?
• Any important family details (like pets, recent moves, or changes at home)?
• Anything else you think the teacher should know?

For Kids in Grades 3 and Up:

• How do they feel about subjects like math and reading?
• What are their study habits like, both at home and in school?
• How do they get along with other kids? What’s their social vibe?
• Any big things going on at home that might affect them (like the loss of a pet, divorce, or a new baby)?
• What kind of learning environment works best for them?
• What are their academic and social strengths and challenges?
• What do they like to do in their free time?
• What goals do you have for them this year?
• Any other concerns or thoughts?

Don’t Wait—Reach Out to the Teacher Now

You don’t have to wait until the first parent-teacher conference to connect with your child’s teacher. The earlier, the better! This way, the teacher can start the year off with a good understanding of your child’s needs. Remember, they’re getting to know a whole classroom full of kids, so your insights can be super helpful.

At the end of the day, you’re your child’s biggest advocate. You do not need to wait until the first conference in October or November to talk to your child’s teacher.  Waiting for the first conference or first quarter report card can waste a lot of precious time.  If you have something to bring to your teacher’s attention, do it now! Remember, the teacher may have 23 or more students that she’s trying to get to know. Taking the time to write a thoughtful, friendly letter can make a world of difference in setting up a great school year.