When teaching children, it’s just as important to consider the parents’ perspective as it is to meet your students’ needs. As teachers, we naturally want to tailor lessons to keep students engaged. For example, I once had an 8-year-old student who loved playing games, so I built games into her lessons while weaving in questions and reading practice. I thought it was a win—she was learning and having fun.
But then I learned her mother didn’t approve of the games. I could have brushed off her concerns, but that would have been short-sighted. Instead, I adjusted my lessons. Why? Because in online teaching, parents aren’t just bystanders—they’re customers. You want them on your side, not working against you.