Teacher-Parent Relations: 6 Tips for Effective Communication

Building a good connection between teachers and parents is important. But there are many things, like how people view schools or not having the right technology, that can make this hard. This blog post looks at research to give teachers easy ways to improve their communication with parents.

1. See the Bigger Picture:

Key Insight: Many parents feeling distant from schools. Due to their past experiences walls may quickly go up.

What to Do: Make every chat matter. Every good talk helps build trust with parents and makes the school look good to everyone else.

2. Understand and Embrace Cultural Differences and Sensitivities:

Key Insight: Cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings

What to Do: Learn about the different cultures in your class. Celebrate their special traditions, read books from different places, and try to use both English and other languages when you are communicating with home.

3. Help Parents with Their Worries Early On:

Key Insight: Bad past experiences or not knowing how schools work can make it hard for parents and teachers to get along.

What to Do: Give parents easy steps to follow if they have worries. Provide clear steps for addressing issues, starting at the classroom level

 

4. Make Things Easier for Parents:

 Key Insight: Money problems, being busy, and not having tech can make things tough.

 What to Do: Ask parents when they're free and if they have tech like computers. Set up meetings at different times, help with childcare during school talks, and use both online messages and paper notes.

5. Simplify Your Language:

Key Insight: Educational jargon can be a roadblock.

What to Do: Watch how you talk or write to avoid fancy words. If you have to use them, explain them clearly. Make sure everyone can understand what you're saying or writing.

 

6. Rethink the Traditional Parent Conference:

Key Insight: Short, traditional parent-teacher meetings may not offer comprehensive insights.

What to Do: Prepare for conferences by sending work samples ahead of time. Plan the meeting thoroughly, ensuring that key points are discussed. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of including the student in the conference.

 

Good talks between teachers and parents are key to a great school experience. By knowing what might get in the way and fixing it, teachers can build good relationships with parents. Always remember, talking is a continuous process, and every chat helps build trust and helps students do better.

 

Check out the article to learn more:

Graham-Clay, S. (2005). Communicating with Parents: Strategies for Teachers. School Community Journal, 15(1), 117-129.