Creating a Positive Home-School Connection

Do you call home a lot to talk to the parents of students?  I’ll be honest, I have never enjoyed dealing with people on the phone.  When I worked retail back in my early twenties, I’d do all I could to avoid answering phone calls.  BUT…We all know that effective communication with parents and guardians is a crucial aspect of our job. Not only does it help to foster a positive relationship between home and school, but it can also lead to better outcomes for our students. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when it comes to communicating with parents and guardians:

1. Make it a priority: It’s important to carve out time for communication with parents and guardians, whether that be through regular newsletters, individual phone calls, or emails. By making it a priority, you’re sending the message that their input is valued and that you’re available to answer any questions or concerns they may have.
2. Use multiple methods of communication: Different parents and guardians have different preferences when it comes to communication, so it’s important to offer a variety of options and be open to communicating through whichever method the parent or guardian prefers.
3. Be proactive: Don’t wait for a problem to arise before reaching out to parents and guardians. Regular communication about their child’s progress, class happenings, and upcoming events can help to build a positive relationship and prevent miscommunications or misunderstandings down the line.
4. Be respectful and patient: Remember that parents and guardians are often busy and may not be able to respond immediately to your communication. Be respectful of their time and be patient if it takes them a while to get back to you.
5. Use positive language: Even if you’re addressing a problem or concern, it’s important to use positive language when communicating with parents and guardians. Avoid using negative or accusatory language, and instead focus on finding a solution together.
6. Follow through: If you promise to send information or follow up on something, make sure to do so. This helps to build trust and shows that you’re reliable and dependable.
7. Keep confidentiality in mind: As teachers, we have to be careful not to share too much personal information about our students with their parents or guardians. Remember that we’re working with minors and that certain information should be kept confidential.
8. Involve parents and guardians in the decision-making process: Whenever possible, involve parents and guardians in the decision-making process. This can help to build trust and ensure that their voices are heard.
9. Use technology to your advantage: There are many tools and resources available that can help us to effectively communicate with parents and guardians. For example, we can use a learning management system to post assignments and grades, or use a messaging app to send updates and reminders.

As a bonus tip, I’ll add that it can’t hurt to try to smile while your talking.  I can’t promise it will help though.  These tips can help though. We can build strong relationships with the parents and guardians of the students in our classrooms and work together to help their children succeed. When everyone is on the same page, it creates a positive and supportive learning environment for our students.  Just hope that no one slams the phone down in your ear and try to keep smiling.

Please comment and share if this helped you.

Thanks!

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