Smart Tools

Guide to Successful Parent-Teacher Communication

Tips on how to begin and enhance parent-teacher communication are quite handy, especially since the result is better student performance.

Parent-teacher community associations (PTCAs) can be viewed as a team, and working in that team can bring more solutions for current problems such as updating curricula or getting more access to information communication technology.

Managing a PTCA requires a two-way communication.Hopefully, the ideas shared here can help everyone move in the correct direction.

For the students’ academic success, here are some suggestions in creating a strong parent-teacher relationship:

  1. Agree on the same objectives. Both parents and teachers must have the same end goal to serve the best interests of the class. If for example, there is a student always disrupting the class, the PTCA can work together to help the student express his needs in a non-confrontational manner.
  2. Be committed. There should be a level of commitment to get to know the students. After all, there is more to him or her than just a report card or test scores. In order for parents and teachers to bring about well-rounded individuals, they must first discover what he or she is like and what he or she hopes to become.
  3. Give insights. Parents must give teachers more information on the students’ characters, strengths, interests and areas of concern. A teacher can send home a questionnaire at the beginning of the year to get this information. It will be helpful in getting to know the child and improving on his strengths and weaknesses.
  4. Parents can be encouraged to discuss answers of the questionnaire with their child and set goals together.
  5. Disclose important information. There should be mutual trust and disclosure. If there are troubles at home that might affect the student’s ability to interact with peers or ability to do well in school, the teacher should also know.

Similarly, teachers must inform parents about what is going on in school. If there instances of bullying or humiliation, parents must know so they can discuss it with their children.

  1. The PTCA is a great avenue for communication and the trick is to communicate regularly. Many teachers are accessible at school via email or personal visits. This can help in customizing an approach to suit the study needs of the student, with guidance at home of course.
  2. Evaluation guidelines and rules must be well-known to both parents and students. This can help students get a clear understanding of the expectations in their performance.
  3. Occasionally send home or to the school “good notes.” This counters the notion that teachers often hear from parents when there are complaints or conflicts. A note from a parent saying how valuable the teacher is in a child’s life or vice versa can work wonders in the long run.
  4. Volunteer. Even if parents have work, they can set aside time to volunteer as a chaperon in a field trip or dance once a month. They can support the teacher and find out classroom dynamics at the same time.

Sources:

“Parent Teacher Communication - Tips for Creating a Strong Parent Teacher Relationship.” Retrieved December 3, 2009 from
http://www.parenting-child-development.com/parent-teacher-communication.html
“Tips for Parent Teacher Communication.” Retrieved December 3, 2009 from
http://www.suite101.com/blog/amy_lynn_hinz/tips_for_parent_teacher_communication

(Published 28 December 2009, Smart Communications Inc.)