Parent Teacher Communication
Ten Tips For Improving Parent Involvement
Differentiating instruction, providing a stimulation classroom environment, engaging students in the learning process are but half the equation in fostering student success. The second half of the equation is increasing parent involvement in their child’s learning so that they may provide a supportive home environment which can then reinforce the work done within the school setting.
The first step is to focus on building strong parent relationships rather than focusing solely on what is and isn’t working in the classroom. This means that the needs of the parents are as important as those of their children. Here are some suggestions to foster relationship:
 The first meeting of the school year should be parent focused and involve a discussion of their needs and concerns. Parents often come to the classroom with preconceived fears and anxieties. By arranging to meet alone with the parents, teachers have time to allay these fears without the interruption of students. Parents will be able to also interact with other parents in the class and see that many are likely to have the same concerns. This meeting will also allow the teacher to better understand student’s preferred learning styles, as well as other influences on learning, such as level of preparedness and family dynamics. The underlying mission of this first meeting is to establish that both parents and teachers play an integral part in the child’s academic success.
Teachers may want to consider inviting teaching assistants and other resource staff to help parents understand that teaching is a team effort.
Schedule parent only meetings regularly throughout the year t continue to build the parent-teacher relationship. In addition, try to accommodate those parents who may desire a private meeting outside of their regularly scheduled appointment.
View the Parent-Teacher Relationship as a Partnership
Teachers should discuss learning objectives with parents, along with their strategies for working with their child individually. Parents can’t be expected to become involved in their child’s education unless they understand the skills and knowledge that are to be taught, along with the methods for doing so.
Provide weekly parent education tips that provide explanation of the concepts being taught and provide support materials so that parents may work with students at home. These tips needn’t be provided in-person but can be included on a “fact-sheet” handed out to each student.
Work with resource room teachers to create homework based on individual level of readiness and preferred learning style. This acknowledges the suggestions made by parents regarding how best to teach their child. It will also help the parent to follow through with the lesson at home.
Bridge the gap between home and school by assigning thematically-based homework. For example, such a theme could be “culture’ and the homework involve the parent and student in creating a project that highlights one aspect of their culture; such as food, or dance, or drawings.
Establish a method of weekly communication between parents and teacher. This could be in the form of a log in which both parents and teachers record information they wish the other to know. More
Make Full Use of the Talents and Energies of Students’ Parents.
This can be accomplished by asking parents to chair and plan family events and class fundraisers.
Welcome parents to become part of class parties and field trips and encourage their interaction with all students in the class. Their involvement in this way establishes a “buy-in” for the parent, along with a sense of ownership.
Offer Parent-Teacher Educational Opportunities.
Arrange school-wide parenting and teacher education classes. For example, Parenting with Love and Logic, along with its companion course, The Nine Essentials of Learning with Love and Logic, provide such effective parenting and teacher education. Both courses serve to establish a common framework and language for behavioral expectations at home and at school. This can serve to reinforce the work of both parents and teachers and ensure that each is on the same page.
During the course, the school should provide child-care so that parents are able to be totally focused on the presentation and have the opportunity to share issues and concerns with other parents.
Love and Logic helps teachers, parents, and students to realize that children are responsible for their own behaviors and are able to make suitable choices. Both parents and teachers have asserted that Love and Logic has facilitated better relationships between parent, teacher, and student, so that the focus of learning can be on consent rather than on behavior.
Use Assessments to Establish Future Goals for Both School and Home.
Share results of all assessment results with parents. Make sure to explain how the assessment was carried out and why.
Clearly communicate future goals based on assessment results and allow for parent input.
Use a variety of modality-specific assessment tools for both home and school. Provide parents with the materials and education they need to assist their child.
Help parents to create graphic organizers and data sheets to record work completed at home and methods used. These graphic organizers will become an invaluable tool for parents to document their child’s progress and will comprise an important part of parent-teacher conferences.
Offer Encouragement Rather than Praise.
Telling parents and students that they are doing a great job is “hollow” praise because it makes no mention of what specific action is being referred to. Offer encouragement rather than praise and offer specific examples of student achievement.
Send home regular communication to parents that provide specific examples of parent-initiated teaching strategies that were successfully used in the class. Follow-up with phone calls offering encouragement and support. This will motivate involved parents to continue working with their children and remain active participants in their learning. It will also encourage less involved parents to become more active members of the educational community.
Celebrate Success! Arrange regular class events which showcase student learning and invite all parents to participate.
Use each event to foster a sense of community, along with an opportunity for parent education and encouragement.
End the school year with a celebration of both student and parent’s successes. Try to solicit parents’’ commitment to continue as an active participant throughout their child’s academic career.
Teacher Influence is the Gift that Lasts a Lifetime!
The one thread that weaves through a child’s academic career is the parent. Teachers should try to encourage and inspire their life-long parent commitment. Working together, teachers, parents, and students can raise the bar on academic achievement and instill in students a love of learning that can last a lifetime! |
