Creating strong parent-teacher communication is essential for providing students with the best educational experience. Developing meaningful parent-teacher communication is necessary for a healthy and productive learning environment. However, it can be a challenge for educators to make time for regular communication to build and maintain relationships with parents. With some extra effort and practice, teachers can establish successful lines of communication that are beneficial for all involved. Here are a few tips on how to successfully communicate with parents and other caregivers to facilitate a positive learning environment where students can thrive.
Aim for Positive Interactions
When meeting the parents of your students for the first time, it is important to make a positive first impression. Ask some “get to know you” questions, and start the conversation off with a compliment about the student. Make an effort to let them know that you’re eager to work together with them during the school year. While you don’t need to be friends with the parents, establishing a good relationship at the start of the year can help make the rest of the school year smoother. The success of the student is ultimately determined by their efforts in and out of class.
Collect Your Own Information
From day one, try to get as much specific contact information as possible from your students’ parents. Although they might have already filled out this information for the school, it is essential to have your own. You may be needing to contact them more often, especially for the families of younger students. It’s helpful to find out which methods of contact would be most effective and best for them (i.e., phone, text, etc.). Having your own contact form can go a long way in helping to establish effective communication.
Be Specific
Make sure that parents are aware of your expectations right away. Let them know the details of why, when, how, and how often you will be contacting them. Assure them that you recognize how busy their schedules may be and respect their time. Outline the times that you can be reached, either in person or virtually, during the school day, and try your best to keep to that schedule. Give a physical reminder of your contact information so they can keep in touch, such as a business card, refrigerator magnet, postcard, or flip book.
Make Technology Your Friend
These days, communication with parents no longer needs to be as labor-intensive as it used to be. With technology, keeping parents updated on their children’s school lives has become much easier. Texting, instant messaging, and email can help inform parents of homework, field trips, and changes to the syllabus in just a few clicks. There are also apps that make communicating with parents very easy.
Make Time for Face Time
Finding the time to meet with parents face-to-face can be difficult, especially when schedules don’t always match up, but there are many creative solutions. Offer the option of scheduling virtual or in-person meetings, sending friendly notes home with students, or setting up meetings when someone is visiting school for another reason. Make the effort to find a time that works best for you and your parents to ensure successful communication.
Document Parent Communication
Tracking your parent interactions is an essential part of staying organized in a classroom. A parent communication log makes it easier to stay up-to-date with their concerns, remember when they are requesting absences, and find out which forms of communication they prefer. Keeping a log of your exchanges will also assist you in preparing for parent-teacher conferences so that you can strengthen your connection with them over time.
Call Home with Good News
Calling home with good news is an important part of successful parent-teacher communication. Setting a goal of a few positive interactions a week, such as sending notes home, texting, or a quick phone call, can give students a better feeling about school and make parents more comfortable when seeing the teacher’s number. When parents receive news about something good a student has done, it will brighten up their day, and can go a long way.
Be Prepared
When the time comes to contact the parents regarding any sort of issue (social, academic, behavioral, etc.), make sure to come prepared with strategies you have already attempted and possible solutions to solve the problem. Be open to any input from the parent, as their involvement is essential to their child’s success. Parents will be appreciative if you have solutions in mind and not just present them with the problem.
Use Volunteers
One of the best strategies to maintain a good relationship with the parents of your students is to get them involved in the classroom. Parent volunteers can create a sense of pride in the students and provide an extra pair of helping hands. When considering volunteers, make sure you are familiar with school laws and policies. Note that volunteering doesn’t have to be limited to regular school hours; it can also involve reading to the class, chaperoning field trips, assisting with small-group work, organizing papers, or helping with other after-school activities.