Creating a School & Home Partnership

How Parent-Teacher communication positively impacts a child’s academic and social development

Regardless of grade level, parent-teacher communication is a cornerstone of student success. Open communication between parents and teachers creates a supportive network that helps children achieve academically and socially. By sharing insights about a child’s strengths and areas for improvement, teachers can help parents reinforce their child’s learning at home. By collaborating, children receive consistent messages about the importance of education, which boosts their motivation and self-confidence.

Parents’ and teachers’ communication is important in a child’s social development beyond academics. Parents and teachers can work together to address a child’s social challenges, such as making friends, overcoming conflict, or developing empathy. Children who see parents and teachers collaborating feel more confident and understood, which leads to a positive school experience. This holistic approach to communication supports children academically, emotionally, and socially, laying the foundation for their future success.

Why Your Involvement Matters: The power of Parent-Teacher communication

Collaboration between educators and parents has become increasingly important to meet the needs of our students. Parents, families, and teachers work together to support students’ learning. Both sides must take responsibility to make the required progress. Teachers who identified their parents as being more actively involved in their children’s lives had higher levels of prosocial behavior and higher academic achievement. Together, teachers and parents can empower students to improve student performance.

At times parents equate their child’s grades as an indicator of their success in the classroom, however having open conversations with your child’s teacher will provide you with more targeted areas of improvement. This will also help build a growth mindset by not only focusing on the end result but the process behind the work children do in school.

Making the most of parent-teacher meetings
Keeping in touch with your child’s teacher is an essential part of his or her education. During these meetings, you can discuss your child’s progress, address concerns, and work together to support their learning. In order to get the most out of these meetings, make sure you come prepared and know what questions to ask in order to ensure a productive conversation centered around your child’s needs. 

It is important to note that reaching out or meeting with the teacher can happen outside of the formal parent-teacher conference days. Setting a meeting at the beginning of the year can be beneficial in building a positive working relationship between parent and educator. As a parent or caregiver, you are an expert in knowing your child and providing the context of your child in all areas of development can help the teacher better understand how you can both work together to support your child in all areas of development. After this initial meeting, ongoing conversations and open dialogue between both the parent and teacher is vital to forge this partnership further. 

As the year goes on, continue to take the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher even if conference days are optional. Teachers can be great advisors on how to plan for what to work on over the summer or how to challenge your child if they need it.

Step 1: Meeting Preparation: Setting the stage for success

Make sure you review your child’s recent schoolwork, grades, and any communications from the teacher before the meeting. You will be able to identify areas where your child thrives and areas where they might need extra assistance. By writing down your observations and questions, you can ensure that all important topics are covered during the meeting. In accordance with the National Education Association (NEA), parents feel more confident and the meeting is more effective when they are well-prepared.

Step 2: Age-Appropriate questions: Tailoring your approach

According to your child’s age and developmental stage, you should ask him or her specific questions. The following are some examples of age-appropriate questions:

For Early Elementary Students:

• Can you tell me how my child is adjusting to the school environment and routine?

• Does my child need additional support in any areas?

• What can we do at home to reinforce what they are learning?

For Late Elementary to Middle School Students:

• Does my child keep track of his or her assignments and responsibilities?

• In what ways are they managing classroom dynamics?

• Could they benefit from extra practice or resources in any subjects?

Step 3: Engaging in the Conversation: What to expect

During the meeting, expect a two-way conversation between you and the teacher. Make sure you listen carefully to the teacher’s feedback and ask for examples if you don’t understand something. Also, discuss strategies for supporting your child’s learning at home, such as homework routines, reading habits, or behavior expectations.

Maintaining a positive and collaborative tone during the conversation is important so that your child’s best interests remain at the forefront. The American Psychological Association suggests that parents approach these meetings as a partnership with the teacher, working together to create a supportive environment at school and at home for their child.

Step 4: After the Meeting: Taking action

After the meeting, reflect on the discussion and follow up on any agreed-upon actions. Your ongoing involvement with the teacher is crucial, whether it involves scheduling additional support, setting new goals, or simply communicating regularly.

Participating actively in parent-teacher meetings, being prepared, and asking the right questions will ensure that your child receives the support he or she needs.

As we focus on building a positive parent-teacher partnership, it is important for parent and caregivers to know their child and how they are feeling about school. Here are a few ways to engage in conversation with your child, so you can be well informed.