Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on July 10, 2016 10:34 pm Add to Favorites kelsey karr Reps: 105 Five Keys to Successful Parent-Teacher Communication The best way to avoid misunderstandings with parents is to have ongoing, clear lines of communication from the beginning. The more you keep them informed about classroom news and include them in school happenings, the more they'll feel like a part of the team. The end result? Parents who are supportive, understanding, and a little less likely to jump to negative conclusions. Here are five ground rules of effective communication with parents: 1. Begin the year by explaining how and when you'll keep in touch with them. Let parents know that you value their questions and concerns and would never minimize them by responding "off the cuff" or "on the fly." Explain that in order to give them your undivided attention, you've set aside specific times to talk. It's important to decide when you want to take and return phone calls and emails and when you're available for school conferences, and to actually be available during those times. Post these times and procedures and send them home with your welcome letter or first newsletter. Earmarking office hours and sticking to them eliminates the need parents may feel to grab your ear in the parking lot or to monopolize your attention outside your classroom door before or after school. 2. Never feel pressured to make an important decision, evaluation, or assessment during a parent conference or conversation. Instead, be prepared to take some time to think and get back to the parent. For example, "You've made a great point, Mrs. Smith, and this is an important issue. I'd really like to give it some serious thought and get back to you on it." Then make it a point to tell the parent exactly when he or she can expect a response: "Let's schedule another meeting/phone conference for Friday. Does that work for you?" This allows you time to consider the issue, develop possible solutions, and consult with colleagues, administrators, or other professionals, if necessary. 3. Let parents know they can trust you. Be discrete: Avoid discussing students with other parents or engaging in any negative faculty-room talk. I also make this a rule for parent volunteers who spend time in the classroom. I tell parents that all of us have good days and bad days. If a volunteer witnesses a "bad day" — any negative or challenging behavior on the part of a student in the class — that particular situation remains in the classroom and confidential. 4. Assure parents that you will inform them immediately about any concerns you might have with regard to their child. Parents become extremely upset when the first sign of trouble comes in the form of a progress report halfway into the marking period or worse yet, on the report card itself. I always try to share even small concerns early on, rather than waiting and then dropping a bombshell. 5. When presenting a concern to parents, ALWAYS be ready to explain what strategies you've already used to address the issue and what new strategies you are considering. Parents don't want concerns dropped in their laps without at least a tentative action plan, which you'll adjust based on their input. If you keep these communication ground rules in mind, parents will thank you, and your life as a classroom teacher will be much easier! Source: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/five-keys-successful-parent-teacher-communication                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted October 14, 2016 7:30 pm Husava Reps: 180 This will come in handy to new teachers and parent communication. Votes: +14 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Nicole McVey Reps: 201 This is very helpful to establish good relationship with parents and I will certainly be referring back to this.   Posted on: October 16, 2016 9:49 pm WeDyje Reps: 100 yes this is great information!   Posted on: July 7, 2018 2:37 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted March 2, 2017 10:18 pm Lynn Krivoruchka Reps: 295 This is something all new teachers should know! This can help with teacher communication! Even teachers that have been around for a while should read this to see if they can learn anything new. Votes: +5 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted March 6, 2017 2:10 am Andrea Howey Reps: 201 Great read! This will help me one day in my classroom! Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted October 3, 2017 2:03 am Yeilin Ramirez Reps: 200 This is something extremely beneficial and handy to read. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted July 7, 2017 12:35 pm MeRepe Reps: 200 This information is very informative and will definitely be useful in helping others understand on jow to communicate with the student's parents. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted October 12, 2017 2:44 am aRaLeg Reps: 200 Communication is very very key!! Thanks for this information! Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted February 28, 2018 12:57 am agedyQ Reps: 211 Awesome tips thank you Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted February 26, 2017 6:54 pm Gytusa Reps: 205 You should share this with the teachers at your school. This information is key for teachers and parents Votes: +1 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted February 24, 2019 9:07 pm Ryduga Reps: 200 This is very helpful to new teachers! Thanks for posting the resource link! Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted October 6, 2020 5:25 pm yHuvaz Reps: 103 I found this article incredibly helpful, especially for an educator who is new to teaching. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.