Helicopter Parents

So, I taught my first full weekend. 3 classes both today and yesterday.  I had three brand new classes this weekend; 2 yesterday, and one today.  Of the three, two of them are pre-schoolers.  I cannot say for certain if parents are any different in Canada, but I have to say I was pretty creeped out yesterday.  My classroom has 2 windows; they're sliders that have a frosted coating on the bottom half for privacy, and open into the hallway outside.  They lock, but they can slide open very easily if one's intent on doing so.  On several occasions, parents had opened the window, peering in on the lesson (they'd been to the demo last week, have met me, and know fully well what happens in the classroom).  Amy had walked up to the window and closed it, and yet they opened it mere seconds later.  Their hands and faces were literally plastered to the window (it reminded me of a horror movie I'd seen somewhere!), as they tried to peek inside.  From the noise, it was clear that the children were 1) happy 2) having fun and 3) learning English. What's the problem? It's creepy.

Parents know that they are allowed to attend the demo, OR the second class.  They are also allowed to attend the last class of the semester.  They sit quietly in the back and observe.  Occasionally we'll have the odd parent who will attend with their child and audit a class, to see if they want to enroll their child.  This is understandable, and welcome.  The problem is that parents of the other students (regular students), who are sitting outside waiting (where they should be), think that they can come in and sit in on the lessons also, at any time they wish.  We had a granny that creeped in last week, and we asked her to leave.  They don't speak English, so I am not sure what they expect to gain from hanging around.  I don't think the kids enjoy it, and it's distracting to them, and to me.

Then there are the parents who send their child to school half asleep and/or without breakfast. It's always the same kids, and they also happen to be the ones who have the most trouble learning (in our school, AND their regular school).  Of course some parents think the answer is to take them OUT of school because it's a waste of money (and don't dare suggest the sleep/breakfast thing, because it's NEVER a problem in the home - like it's not obvious anyway).  OK. Let's look at that option.  You're taking you're child OUT of English lessons because they're not learning at the same pace as everyone else (and yes, everyone else is learning.)  Isn't that all the more reason to keep them in? No one ever learned a second language without work.  How about putting them to bed on time and making sure they have food in their tummies in the morning?   Might be a good start.