Okay we all know that communication is not easy, especially in today's world. That is why it is so important to understand how to effectively communicate. Teachers should communicate with parents at least on a weekly basis, and when parents have a concern they should feel comfortable enough to bring that up with the teachers. In this post we are going to breakdown three different ways to keep communication open!
1. Weekly Communication
Why is it Important? Establishing regular communication helps create a strong home-school partnership. It allows teachers and families to share what is going on throughout the week. What is going on in the classroom, what is coming up, and school wide announcements.
How do I do it? Send out a weekly newsletter to families. Include events that are happening, what students are learning, tests for the week, and a small note of encouragement. This will just keep families in the loop!
<- Here is and example of what I did in 2nd Grade!
2. Individual Communication
Why is it Important? Each student and family is different, so we should make sure we offer communication individualized for each family. When you offer personalized communication it demonstrates care, empathy, and understanding, creating a level of trust and rapport between teachers and families.
How do I do it? Provide specific feedback on students academic growth and how they are doing socially in the classroom . Send home personalized note or give families a call. Tell parents when a student does something amazing (trust me they want to know). Tell families when you had a moment that you were really proud of a student. You also have to tell parents when a students had a moment of weakness, or maybe if they are struggling. Those conversations are not always easy, but they are vital. One thing I did was right one note a week to a student who had an exceptional week. The students were always SO excited to take the note home to their families.
3. Problem-Solving TOGETHER
Why is it Important? Parents entrust teachers with their children, so it is important to have some of these conversations with parents. When a problem arises, you DON'T have to solve it on your own. Maybe the family also experienced a similar problem. Talk with them and discuss together.
How do I do it? Seek input and perspectives from both teachers and parents/guardians. Listen to each other's viewpoints, acknowledging concerns and exploring potential solutions together. Develop action plans TOGETHER. Everyone wants what is best for a child, so just always keep that in mind!
Effective communication between teachers and families is an important foundation of student success and well-being. By keeping communication open, we can strengthen the connection between home and school and create a supportive environment where every child can thrive. Let's embrace these communication techniques as powerful tools for building partnerships that transcend the classroom walls and empower our students to reach their full potential.
Happy Teaching!
Alyssa
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