Parent Teacher Communication and Encouraging Parents to Be an Active Participant in Their Child’s Education

Effective parent teacher communication is essential for student success. Here are a few ways to engage in healthy parent teacher communication and encourage parents to be an active participant in their child’s education.

1. Make time for parent teacher conferences. Hosting an open house or parent teacher conferences is a great way to engage with your students’ families.  
2. Utilize technology for convenient parent teacher communication. There are many apps and websites out now to facilitate communication along with other student info. Try out Bloomz or ClassDojo who are a great resources for teachers who want to form good relationships with parents.
3. Send out classroom newsletters or emails. Sending out newsletters or email updates on classroom projects and lessons helps parents to be prepared or talk to their children about what they are learning.
4. Start a class website. It is easy to create a website using sites like Wix or Weebly. Using a classroom website is a great way to keep parents informed.
5. Offer information on how parents can aid their children with their homework. Many parents may not know what they should do to help their children with their homework so they may not do anything at all. Giving pointers to parents may give parents the confidence to step up.
6. Tie family engagement to academic success. Many parents may take decent grades as their cue to not need to involve themselves in their child’s education. Many parents may not know that getting a passing grade doesn’t mean their child is actually meeting the criteria. Setting up workshops or webinars to explain to parents how to fully understand standardized test scores and that their involvement makes a huge difference in their child’s education is vital.
7. Be aware of cultural and community differences. It’s important to be aware and sensitive to diverse cultures and communities. This may mean offering communications in a translated language or offering different time slots to parents who may not work normal hours.

Effective parent-teacher communication lays the foundation for a student's academic success and personal growth. By communicating with parents effectively, educators can cultivate strong relationships with families and inspire parents to take an active role in their child's education. From utilizing technology to hosting workshops and being mindful of cultural differences, each approach contributes to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Ultimately, fostering collaboration between teachers and parents ensures that students receive the guidance, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.