Communication

1
Communication

• establishing strong relationships with parents
  and ensuring that parents are consistently and
  positively involved in their childs progress at
  schoolwill reap many rewards.

2
Why communicate

• Parents who are involved with your classroom
  and/or school often become advocates for the
  program and school.
• Parents should always be regarded as partners in
  a childs education.
• Parents who are informed are often valuable in
  assisting both you and the child with the
  learning process.

3
Creating Partnerships

• Greet parents when they arrive at the school or
  your classroom to either pick up or drop off a
  child.
• Make an initial contact prior to school beginning
  using a postcard, the telephone, or a letter.

4
Creating Partnerships

• Send home information about your program,
  routines, expectations, or special events.
• Communicate on a regular basis using a
  newsletter, calendar, or Ask about Me (see
  chapter 12 of Creating the Dynamic Classroom
  for a sample)

5
Creating Partnerships

• Collect background information on the child that
  might be relevant to the learning process e.g.
  languages spoken in the home, medical history,
  family structure.
• Be prepared to translate communication to a home
  where English is a second language.

6
Creating Partnerships

• Establish a classroom web site that can be used
  to post important information and/or communicate
  with you.
• Contact parents on a regular basis to celebrate
  successes, or discuss student progress and/or
  concerns.

7
Creating Partnerships

• Provide readings and/or resources for parents on
  topics of interest using a lending library
  concept. e.g. learning styles
• Outline concrete ways for parents to assist their
  children with schoolwork.
• Phone parents regularly for a personal contact.

8
Creating Partnerships

• Involve parents. Invite them to the school. Let
  them assist you in a meaningful way. Organize
  their time so they feel valued. Train them to
  perform tasks within the classroom. Allow them to
  share in classroom celebrations.
• Talk to parents when they are in the school. Be
  enthusiastic. Make them feel welcome.

9
Creating Partnerships

• Invite parents to events in the school that
  involve their children e.g. concerts, assemblies,
  presentations.
• Schedule regular information sessions.
• Have regular conferences, especially with
  parents of students who may be encountering
  academic difficulties.

10
Creating Partnerships

• Homework is often requested by parents. Utilize
  that interest and assist them with ways to make
  it a positive learning experience for both parent
  and child.
• Consider the use of daily agendas, homework
  books, or behavioral forms.