Here are 7 wonderful ways your child can say thank you to their teacher

Teachers play a special role in our lives and as parents, we realize that they don't just teach our children, but also expand their horizons and nurture them. Just as we respect teachers who have impacted our lives growing up, we must inculcate a sense of gratitude in our children for their teachers. After all, apart from parents, children spend maximum time at school with peers and teachers and often look up to them for inspiration.

As we celebrate Teachers' Day across schools in the country on September 5, it is the perfect time to acknowledge the effort and commitment shown by teachers. They are the ones who enlighten young minds and open up worlds of knowledge to them.

So how can you, as a parent, help your child make this day memorable for her teacher? Here are seven thoughtful ways your child can show their gratitude:

1. Make a handmade card or gift 

Though a lot of ready-made souvenirs and 'thank you' cards are available in the market, a handmade card or small gift will always be extra special. Even a small sapling that your child has planted themselves will do wonders. It shows that your child has taken the effort and time to make something for their teacher. In fact, you can help your child incorporate something they have learned from her teacher — like a poem or a painting — into a gift. That will be the best way to showcase your child's love and respect for their teacher.

2. Volunteer 

For most teachers, a school day doesn’t end with the ring of the final bell. There are innumerable tasks to complete such as keeping books in order, stacking them in cupboards, making last-minute corrections, replacing school supplies, teaching remedial classes, making the study plan for the next day, and so on. You could urge your child to volunteer and help out their teacher with after-school tasks. This will lighten their burden and put a smile on the teacher’s face. If your child is in middle or high school, encourage them to lend their teacher a helping hand.

3. Post on social media 

In our world today, social media is a great tool to convey positive messages to a large group of people. If your child is old enough to handle the Internet, then a heartfelt post about their teacher is the perfect way to say 'thank you' and show gratitude. The message could be a simple note of appreciation for their hard work or an anecdote that emphasizes the teacher's dedication toward their students. It is even better if the post is shared with all students or ex-students, to prompt more appreciative messages and heart-warming stories.

4. Be good 

Children often misbehave, forget to do their homework, or quarrel in class. Make your child understand the important role educators play in his life and the need to show their gratitude to them. And what could be the best way to do that? By being a well-behaved and motivated student, of course! Encourage your little one to put in that extra effort to become a good student. A teacher will feel special and respected when she sees a child consciously trying to do their best.

5. Prepare the teacher's favorite food 

Everyone gives flowers and shop-bought gifts such as pens and mugs on Teacher's Day. How about something she will truly remember for a long time? Make the effort to know your child's class teacher, and find out her likes and dislikes. You and your child can together and prepare a simple dish that is the teacher's favorite, as an act of appreciation.

6. Write a note 

Remember the long essays that you once wrote for your exams! Well, it would do a great deal of good if you encouraged your child to write something, even a short note, to thank their teacher for all that she has done. Often, parents do not encourage their children to openly show their gratitude to their teachers for the little and big things that they do for them. Writing a simple note and putting it on the teacher’s desk is a heartwarming way to show that the routine things done by the teacher are noticed and truly appreciated.

7. Be well mannered

Being respectful to the teacher, exhibiting good manners, and imbibing traditional values are ideal ways to honor her. A big smile, a namaste, a ‘good morning or afternoon’ wish even when outside the classroom, or a thoughtful query about the teacher's health, will go a long way in establishing a warm relationship between teacher and student.

Teachers are an essential part of your child's growing-up years. A committed teacher can be a wonderful influence and make a huge difference in your child's life. At the same time, the respect and dignity a child accords to their teacher reflect the values they have learned at home. So, make sure this Teachers' Day is a special one for your child's teacher.