In the dynamic landscape of education, fostering strong connections between teachers and parents is crucial for the holistic development of students. Recognizing this, as educators, you have embraced innovative ways to bridge the communication gap and create a collaborative learning environment.
From utilizing user-friendly communication apps and online platforms to hosting interactive virtual parent-teacher conferences, the realm of possibilities for connecting with parents has expanded exponentially.
In order to be most effective, it is important for you to establish positive relationships and establish practical ways to connect with your students’ parents.
“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of the parents.” – Jane D. Hull
Parents should monitor their child’s progress in school. Hence, increasing parental involvement in the classroom is a must and as a teacher, you have to find convenient ways to connect with your student’s parents.
Absolutely, teachers need to interact and sustain open communication with the students’ parents. Thus, I came by to present the 8 absolutely convenient ways to connect with your student’s parents.
The Impact of Parental Involvement
Teachers are just the instrument to promote learning and in helping the child succeed. The bigger portion of the responsibility is in the hands of the parents for they are the ones sending their children to school.
For me, parents have the right to know about the status of their children in school. It’s not difficult to make it happen once you are equipped with convenient ways to connect with your student’s parents.
As teachers, we should keep in mind that students will perform better and are most motivated to learn if their parents are deeply engaged in their education.
Although parental access in schools has certain limitations, parents do have the right to know how their children are performing and behaving in particular.
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<<<Do you want to increase parent involvement in school? Check our amazing tips here and extend your ways of collaborating with your students’ parents.
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8 Absolutely Convenient Ways To Connect With Your Students’ Parents
We need the support of our student’s parents. That is why an association between parents and teachers has long been emphasized.
The Parent-Teachers Association has been implemented to establish a meaningful connection between the parents, teachers, and the school in general. Also, the association is to ensure the educational success of the children and to strengthen the parent’s engagement in school.
In order to be most effective, it is important for you to establish positive relationships with parents. Here are some tips on how to do just that:
1. Conduct PTA conferences quarterly
Another great way to build positive relationships with parents is to host regular events and meetings. This gives parents an opportunity to meet the teacher face-to-face and ask any questions they may have. It also allows you to get to know the parents better and understand their expectations for their child’s education.
I know that most parents would seemingly ask questions like ”How is my child graded?’ ‘What are the grading components?’ ‘Is my child behaving well?’ Is there something I should know about his/her behavior in class?’ Accordingly, PTA conferences are indispensable.
On my end, I always require the parents of my students to attend the PTA meetings and I put on the best strategies for a successful PTA conference. To clearly emphasize its importance, I include this on the agenda of the orientation during the opening of classes. Because of that, the parents are reminded of how crucial it is to attend PTA conferences.
I religiously check attendance whenever there’s a scheduled conference and keep a record of it. Conducting PTA conferences regularly is a great way of making parents feel that their involvement in educating their children is immensely important. The more they are visible at conferences, the more students feel their parents’ support.
2. Communicate regularly
One of the best ways to keep parents informed and involved is to communicate frequently. This can be done through weekly newsletters, emails, or phone calls home.
By keeping parents updated on what is happening in the classroom, they will feel more connected to their child’s education and be more likely to offer support at home.
Parents appreciate being kept in the loop and it helps them feel more involved in their child’s education.
You should not deprive them of their parental involvement in education to keep their children focused on achieving academic success and realizing their full potential. Also, the parents should be at the helm of educating their children.
Knowing that the parents’ support for their children’s education has a far-reaching impact, we should intensify their roles by involving them. Their involvement positively affects the child’s performance.
Regular communication with parents cultivates a healthy relationship with them. This interaction is meaningful and it extremely supports the child’s academic achievement.
3. Require parents to claim the report cards of their children every grading period
Report cards are very critical in tracking the child’s progress. Through these necessary documents, parents are able to know the performance of their children, like in what particular subject area they need help, and in what area they perform best.
Consequently, I always require parents or guardians to claim the report cards of their children every grading period. They should affix their signatures on their children’s report cards as an acknowledgment that they are pretty aware of how their children perform.
The comments and suggestions I write on each report card will have a great impact on the child’s well-being. Hence, I believe it should be discussed with parents too.
And I always prepare for Card Day! I will prepare the classroom for them. As for me, this encounter is a way of sustaining a meaningful connection with the students’ parents.
4. Use online platforms
Online platforms make communication a breeze, so let’s utilize them in education. Therefore, parents and teachers connect! Parents should know where to read essential school announcements, information, and news to keep them abreast.
Through group chats and meetings at Google Meet, we can keep parents informed and involved. As there will be instances and happenings that would hinder parents from visiting the school, we can make use of the most reliable and appropriate online platforms to maintain communication.
Staying connected is the key. The optimization of communication with parents through the use of smart online platforms will intensify parents’ involvement and engagement.
5. Get to know your students’ families
Another way to build strong relationships with parents is by getting to know them on a personal level. Learn about their interests, values, and backgrounds. This will not only help you understand them better but also show them that you care about them as people.
This includes taking the time to learn about their cultures and backgrounds. By doing this, teachers can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for all students.
6. Seek feedback from parents
Another way to build strong relationships with parents is by seeking their feedback. Ask them for their input on various aspects of the classroom or school. This will show them that you value their opinion and that you’re open to making changes based on their feedback.
Seeking feedback from parents is one of the most important things that teachers can do to establish good relationships with parents. This shows that you care about their child’s success. When parents see that their child’s teacher is invested in their future, it builds trust and creates a strong foundation for a positive relationship.
7. Be available to parents
Parents will appreciate it if you’re available to them when they need you. Whether they have a question about their child’s progress or just want to chat, be sure to make yourself available to them.
This is another practical way to get involved in the child’s life. You can also invite parents to attend school functions, getting to know the child on a personal level and showing an interest in their academic progress.
8. Be consistent in your expectations and discipline procedures
Parents should know what your expectations are for their child’s behavior, and what will happen if those expectations are not met. By being consistent, you can gain the trust of parents and build stronger relationships with them.
All things considered…
By taking the time to build strong relationships with parents, teachers can create a supportive environment that benefits everyone involved.
In communicating with parents, you can make things happen for optimal student learning and magnify the role of the parents in their children’s education.
On this end, we are eager to hear from you on how you maintain good communication and connection with your student’s parents. Do you have any other convenient ways of connecting? How do you involve the parents in their children’s school life?
Let’s stay connected as well! Write your thoughts in the comments section below. I’d love it all the way!
