The Background: As a reflective piece, my assistant teacher thought it would be great to provide parents with a sort of "Customer Service Survey". I think it would be a great idea. So to get the ball rolling, I asked a parent that I've had in my class for two years "whada ya think" after one of the traditions at our school...
The Situation: As a tradition, my school brings all of the preschool families together to make a Feast for Thanksgiving. The parents provide the food; they set up and join their children for a lunchtime feast. In all honesty, it was chaotic last year. It wasn’t very organized, there wasn’t enough food and it was overwhelming for my children and their parents who are new to the school... So this year, it was organized better, there was enough food and it was cute for our children and their parents. Lots of planning on the teacher’s part made sure that this was enjoyable for everyone.
The Answer: So after this activity, the question was put to this parent "What did you think of the Feast" They were here for both years and I just wanted a simple comparison... Well that is not what I got... He though that there is no reason for us to do this type of activity. As a parent he feels that we "require" them to show up for too many activities and if he didn’t have a flexible schedule he doesn’t know what he would do. He also thought that it was un-necessary for this activity because it went over the children’s head and they have no idea what we were trying to get them to understand.
This is how I think he doesn’t understand:
1. In asking his opinion, we asked a simple and direct question and he never really gave us an answer too it.
2. The reason behind this "type" of activity is to bring the parents and children together for a time of fun, food and "fellowship". Also at three and four years old children learn by doing. They are visual and hands on learners and this activity helped them understand it a little bit more.
3. If you don’t want to come then you don’t have to come. All of our activities are voluntary. I don’t like it when parents come to participate in activities and instead of being there and enjoying the moment they stand back with a grumpy face judging and criticizing and that isn’t fun for anyone (except that parent).
Here is what I learned:
1. You can’t please everyone. No matter what you do there is always the possibility that somebody isn’t going to like it or will be unsatisfied and that’s ok!
2. When you open yourself up to criticism that is exactly what you will get and not necessarily about what you are asking; there could be something that has been on a persons mind for quite a long time and they unleash it on you, the person asking. There is a reason why people don’t offer customer service surveys and that is precisely why. The customers are obviously satisfied enough to continue using the service, so don’t push it!
3. Parents aren’t teachers and if you really want them to understand, you have to teach them too! It’s a lotta work on the teacher, but maybe it will produce great results in the end.
