Sweet Summertime is here! A teacher’s brain is a funny thing; we wrap up at the end of the school year and our brains immediately go into plan mode for the following school year. I was able to meet some of my students coming in next year and it has me thinking about how important creating a classroom community is. However, my classroom community isn’t just my students…it’s also their parents. It’s important to start on the right foot by creating a classroom that includes consistent and positive communication with parents. Think about it, our students spend the majority of their day with us. Over 1,000 hours each school year- it’s a big chunk of time. For those of you that are parents, imagine having no idea what is going on in your child’s classroom? So from newsletters to emails to all the fancy apps, I want my families to be and feel connected from day one. We are a team and we are striving for the same thing so when parents and teachers are on the same page everything works so much smoother. So whether it’s the beginning of the school year or not, positive communication makes a world of difference for your community.
Building Relationships
I remember my first couple years in teaching. I was so nervous to meet parents, I mean nail-biting nervous, but now I realize they look at me as the expert! But first impressions are everything so I make sure to take the time to connect with each parent. I learn their names, I ask what methods of communication they prefer and I let them know we are a team. Going that extra mile of establishing the relationship is going to make those conversations that maybe aren’t so pleasant a bit easier. Try using an icebreaker to get to know parents during a family or back-to-school night, this will definitely create a fun environment where parents will feel comfortable. My classroom needs to be a safe place for not only my students but also their parents, a place where they can express worries, ask questions and share goals for the year.
Communication
Communication is key. It is hands down one of the most important foundations of all aspects of life. Without communication things get messy. Start on the right foot with this one. Establish your preferred lines of communication but also take into account the parents preferred methods as well. Here is a quick list of questions to ask your parents to establish great lines of communication.
- Do they prefer emails or phone calls?
- Electronic or paper newsletters?
- What time of the day is good to talk?
- Do they work part time-or full-time?
- Would they benefit from a classroom app?
- Are they interested in volunteering?
- How often would they like to communicate?
When expectations are clear it makes a world of difference. I remember when teaching it was no news is good news but I really don’t like that philosophy. I don’t want a phone call home to be negative, I love calling parents to say something positive about their child. I make it my goal within the first couple weeks of school I send home a quick note with something I learned about their child and why I am enjoying having them in my class. Remember not all parents are the same, not everyone wants or needs a ton of communication but to find that out, you need to build that relationship. Set expectations and let parents know how you typically do things and of course, every school year is different so things can be tweaked! Establishing a routine of a newsletter or a weekly check-in makes it easier for parent’s expectations.
Involving Parents
I love when parents volunteer to help in the classroom and it’s a great way to build the parent-teacher relationship. Plus my students love having their parents come help out and get a hands-on feel for their daily routines. Covid has put a damper on my classroom visitors but I am hoping to get them back next year. Mystery readers are one of my favorite ways to get parents in the classroom. We have a signup sheet, and parents provide a few clues then my students will try to guess who it is. It is a fun way for a parent to come unwind, read a story, and spend some time with their child’s class. As always, ask for parent’s feedback about what’s working, what’s not and any changes they would like to see. It goes a long way when they feel involved in any classroom decisions.
Listening to Parents
No one knows a child better than their parent. Let parents talk to you about their child, especially about any goals or areas they would like to see improvement. As a team, we work together which means parents and teachers can learn from each other. I love having an open-door policy by letting parents know that I am here to not only help their child but to help them too. Parents don’t always understand the education system as you know it can be a complicated thing. Educate them and ask if they have questions about what is being taught or why certain decisions are being made. Again, that team attitude is going to benefit everyone involved. I always send home ideas for parents to try at home or ways they can continue the learning at home. Check out my latest post where I talk about including parent’s in their child’s reading. When parents ask questions I make sure to provide them with the resources but sometimes all they want is for someone to listen. Listening and being empathetic when parents have worries or concerns is a great component in building a relationship.
Tough Conversations
Let’s face it, teachers sometimes have to have tough conversations with parents. When using positive communication tools it helps to make those difficult conversations easier to have. I have a strict rule when it comes to delivering a concern or discussing a behavior. Which is the sandwich method, start with a positive whether it be something good from the week, a strength, or a funny story. After you give the positive discuss the issue or area of improvement then close with another positive or reiterate it. Always abide by this rule. A great way to remember is positive, area of improvement, positive otherwise known as the sandwich approach.
Whether you are a new teacher or one that has been teaching for 20 years…communicating with parents can pose a challenge in itself but just keep in mind these tips to help you feel a bit more confident. This is a partnership and when partnerships are successful the student is benefiting- YAY! It is definitely a win-win situation. Remember at the end of the day we are a team. By communicating and listening you can develop some great relationships with your student’s parents. I always remind myself to have fun, try not to take things personally, and be empathetic- you never know what else is going on in their life. What are some of your favorite ways to build positive communication with your parents? Let me know in the comments!
