How To Achieve Good Parent-Teacher Communication

Often times it can be difficult for parents and teachers to effectively communicate due to various reasons. Most of this stems from the fact neither have enough time to truly talk about what is going on in the classroom or at home. As we know teachers and parents want the best for the child so it is important for them to work together and figure out how best to help them. Now in doing this understanding from both parties is key. Both teachers and parents must see, and feel, that they each are doing their best to make an effort to communicate issues. Making an effort to work together can be as easy as communicating through notes on the child’s planner or messages on apps such as Class Dojo. Now depending on what is going on it might be more complicated and additional parent-teacher conferences might need to be scheduled. What is important and must be assured of is the fact the child gets the help they need and the teachers and parents work together in achieving that goal.

We all know that emotions can get in the way especially involving parents and their children because parents want the best for them. No parents want to hear bad things about their child nor do they want to feel their child is being neglected by their teacher. This is why understanding is so key for both parties. Parents need to understand that the teacher has other students besides the parent's child and often times cannot stop what they are doing to give the one on one attention they desire their child to have. Teachers need to understand that the student’s parent takes their child’s education seriously and wants to know ways in which to help them succeed. When each party keeps this in mind things can be put into perspective and the communication can become more effective. When this occurs the relationship between them will get better which then, in turn, makes the student's life easier.

Outside the Box Teaching Ideas. (2011). teachhub.com. Tips to Strengthen Parent Teacher Communication. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/tips-strengthen-parent-teacher-communication

PBS. (2012) pbs.org. The Parent-Teacher Partnership. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/going-to-school/parent-involvement/parent-teacher-partnership/