DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH

PARENTS

Why, When and How!!!

IMPORTANCE

The development of positive relationships between teachers and their students’ parents is imperative to the academic success of these students. Parents and families can provide a substantial amount of support to teachers as they have a more thorough knowledge of their child/children. This is invaluable in helping the teacher be more effective . In turn, observing the relationship between their parents and teacher the child will be more motivated to attend and succeed in school, as they will be more trusting of their teacher because their parents do too.

IMPORTANCE CONT’D

Communication is the foundation of the positive parent-teacher relationship. There must be clear continuous communication from the onset. Dispensing timely information to the parents creates a strong and effective relationship. Parents need to be aware of what and how their children are learning, their children’s academic and social progress and the role they can play as parents in their child’s education and development.

TEACHER AND PARENT RELATIONSHIPS

View the following video by organizer, parent and Chicago Public School graduate Cecile Carroll, who shares what she's learned about the need for relationships between teachers and parents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxJIsZsYKQQ

HOW PARENTS BENEFIT

Positive parent-teacher relationships greatly benefit parents. The method and approaches utilized by teachers in communicating and interacting with parents affects the extent and quality of parents’ involvement in their children’s learning particularly at home. Parents also acquire the insight and knowledge of how to assist and support their children by having positive parent-teacher relationships as they will be learning about their children’s academic program and how it works. In addition, parents will have a greater appreciation for the role they play and value their involvement in their children’s class and school.

HOW TEACHERS BENEFITParent-teacher relationships helps lighten the load of a teacher, allowing the teacher to focus more on the task of teaching. Teachers are also able to learn more about their students’ needs, interests and home environment from having a relationship with parents. This information will help the teacher in adapting and tailoring to meet those needs and interests. Teacher morale and confidence is also boosted as parents who are involved tend to have a more positive view of teachers.

HOW STUDENTS BENEFITParental involvement and positive parent-teacher relationships benefits students in that there is an increase in their academic achievement and motivation to learn, along with more regular attendance, improved behavior and attitude and a positive overall approach and outlook on school and learning.

WAYS TO DEVELOP POSITIVE PARENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS

There are numerous ways that teachers can work on developing a healthy, positive and co-operative relationships with the parents of students in their classroom. We shall explore some of these in the upcoming slides.

1. EXPRESS INTENTIONS & PLANS FROM THE

START

Begin the school year, from as early as registration if possible, to express your desire to work with parents and how appreciative you are of receiving that support. Specifically providing ways that parents can partner with you to support their child at home. Instructional decisions, plans, goals and class expectations should be made known to parents. Explain how and when you as the teacher will get and keep in touch with the parents throughout the school year.

First Impressions are lasting ones, making the most of the opportunity when initially meeting your students

parents!!!

2. GAIN INSIGHT FROM PARENTS

Converse with parents with the specific aim of gathering as much information about their child as possible. Parents know a lot about their child and are a source worth tapping into. Ask questions about the child. What activities they enjoy doing? What are their best characteristics? Etc. Parents themselves may have skills that would be helpful to the development of your classroom, as such allowing them to share their interests, passions, skills and culture is also an asset.

The distribution of surveys are an easy way to gain parental insight!!!

3. COMMUNICATE OFTEN

Good teachers communicate frequently. If a parent receives the information from the teacher there is a lesser chance of misinterpretation. Thus teachers should regularly provide information about what is going on in their class. What is being learned and accomplished, the growth that is seen in the child and lots more.

It is important that parents are also contacted with positive information about their child. Unpleasant news can be discouraging.

4. GIVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK

Contact parents with good news regularly.

Make positive phone calls home. When a phone call from school conveys good news the home and school environment improves.

Whenever calling home or meeting with parents to discuss a concern always begin by giving positive praise first. There is something good about every student, find that and share it.

Share the successes of the students by letting parents know what their child is doing well and the skills he/she has mastered.

5. CHOOSE VARIOUS COMMUNICATION MODES

Effective communication though crucial can be time-consuming. However, there are numerous ways to communicate with parents. It is important that parents are consulted with the communication methods that works best for them. Using multiple communication methods allows parents to hear from you in ways that are most suitable for them. It is not possible to rely on a single method of communication that will reach all homes as there is great diversity among families.

An effective teacher will use various means over the course of the school year!

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

Parent newsletters

Home visits (where applicable)

Phone calls and texts

Emails

Weekly or monthly folders of student work sent home for parent review and comment

Progress reports

Annual open houses

Curriculum nights

Annual school calendars

PTA meetings and conferences

Homework hotline

Annual field days

School website

Class web pages

Notices and handouts

Workshops for parents

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

INVOLVES

1. Teacher initiation

2. Timeliness

3. Consistency and frequency

4. Follow-through

5. Clarity and usefulness of communication

REFERENCES:Aguilar, E. (2011, 23rd September). 20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships With Parents. [Weblog]. Retrieved 10 June 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-tips-developing-positive-relationships-parents-elena-aguilar

American federation of teachers. (2007). Building Parent-Teacher Relationships. Retrieved 10 June, 2016, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/building-parent-teacher-relationships

Williams, K. (2016). 9 Techniques for Building Solid Parent-Teacher Relationships. Retrieved 10 June, 2016, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/9-techniques-building-solid-parent-teacher-relationships