Now that most families have settled back down into the daily routine of school, and other related activities, the concept of discussing adoption issues with your child’s teachers and classmates must be surfacing again as well. While many parents fully intend to address adoption with their child’s classmates, sometimes it’s knowing where to begin that is most difficult.

Those parent who are in need, are in luck! The recent issue of Adoptive Families Magazine (September/October) is offering up some great fall tips on discussing adoption in the school setting, with their Adoption and School resource and guide. Included with this online link is a wealth of information for all stages and ages of students, as well as how to prepare, and how to present the tough stuff.

Among the most helpful of these resources, that I used when speaking last fall to my oldest daughter’s 4th grade class, are the many downloadable handouts for the children and their parents, as well as the great printable information geared directly towards your child’s teacher. There are also many “how to” stories related by other adoptive parents sharing how they chose to present adoption information in the school setting.

For parents who may never have done this before there are also some great form letters that can be adjusted to meet your specific needs and printed out to send teachers and parents of fellow students. There is also a great reading list of books for different age groups that present different concepts about adoption. The mentioned books are great for the class teacher to start the process off before a presentation, or for you as the parent to read to the class to get the ball rolling. There is also a super section devoted to the ever popular class projects that can come up from time to time, like the “Family Tree” that offers helpful tips for dealing with these really tricky assignments.

For anyone who is considering that eventful first talk with their child’s school and classmates about adoption, this is the idea place to get started. Anything and everything you might be needing is located in the easy to navigate links, and being able to print out the great handouts to send home to keep the other parents involved is a big bonus. This is where I would suggest that anyone preparing for the school talk begin the process, and if you are interested in how my own talk went feel free to read all about it here.


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Picture- Shari Halpern