As a teacher, you know how important it is to involve parents in their children's education. But you also know how challenging it can be to balance their expectations, needs, and preferences without overwhelming them or yourself. How can you build positive relationships with parents and engage them in meaningful ways that support learning and development? Here are some tips to help you.
One of the key ways to involve parents without overwhelming them is to communicate regularly and clearly. This means sharing information about the curriculum, the learning objectives, the assessment methods, and the feedback you provide to their children. It also means updating them on the progress, achievements, challenges, and opportunities for improvement of their children. You can use various channels to communicate, such as newsletters, emails, phone calls, or online platforms. Make sure you use a friendly and respectful tone, and invite parents to ask questions or share their concerns.
Draw a triangle of parents, teacher and student . Teachers and guardians keep an eye on your children 24/7. This work is not for class or group. one child one teacher. As long as you do not implement this technique, your children will remain like this with no confidence.
One thing I do is to bond well with my learners, so that they can open up to me, on their challenges, including those ones that are non-academic in nature. Many parents usually do not give their children the needed attention, hence, the reason for open day, in public schools, in Lagos Nigeria, where I teach. In order not to overwhelm the parents, I always start my conversations with parents, by mentioning the positive side of the learner, before infusing the other side of the comment?? This works well, with me, and I want to recommend this to other educators too. Tell the parents what is good about their children before going ahead to tell them the inadequacies.
Show your care & concern about their children regularly. Stay calm & deeply listen when they are sharing something. Try to focus on futuristic conversation.
Another way to involve parents without overwhelming them is to invite them to participate in the learning process. This means offering them opportunities to volunteer in the classroom, to join field trips, to assist with projects, or to share their skills and expertise. It also means encouraging them to support their children's learning at home, by providing resources, guidance, and feedback. You can also create a parent-teacher association or a parent advisory committee to involve them in decision-making and planning. Make sure you appreciate their contributions and acknowledge their diversity and perspectives.
We write to the parents of workshop participants either before or after their students attend. We do this to both ensure they have an opportunity to inquire about the day's events, but also to see if their children gained any surprising insights (because they usually do, and enjoy sharing them). We let parents know that habit cadence dictates that children have to practice thinking before buying three times before they can fully grasp it's benefits. Which is why we encourage use of the DIMS - DOES IT MAKE SENSE?? SCORE calculator for at least two more possible purchases post workshop attendance. (If they first calculated the DIMS SCORE? for an item, we suggest they do so for an experience.) We get positive responses from these invitations.
A third way to involve parents without overwhelming them is to provide them with choices and options. This means allowing them to decide how much and how often they want to be involved, and what kind of activities they prefer. It also means respecting their preferences and boundaries, and avoiding imposing your expectations or demands on them. You can also offer them different types of resources and support, such as online courses, workshops, books, or videos. Make sure you listen to their feedback and suggestions, and adapt your approach accordingly.
A fourth way to involve parents without overwhelming them is to build trust and rapport with them. This means establishing a positive and professional relationship, based on mutual respect, honesty, and openness. It also means showing empathy and understanding, and recognizing their strengths and challenges. You can also create a safe and welcoming environment, where parents feel valued and appreciated. Make sure you communicate your goals and vision, and align them with their aspirations and values.
A fifth way to involve parents without overwhelming them is to collaborate with other teachers, staff, and professionals. This means working as a team to coordinate your efforts, share your insights, and address any issues or conflicts. It also means leveraging the expertise and resources of others, such as counselors, social workers, or community partners. You can also create a network of support and referral, where parents can access additional help or information. Make sure you communicate effectively and consistently, and respect the roles and responsibilities of others.
A sixth way to involve parents without overwhelming them is to celebrate success and achievements. This means recognizing and rewarding the efforts and outcomes of both the children and the parents. It also means creating opportunities to showcase and share the learning and development of the children, such as portfolios, exhibitions, or performances. You can also organize events and activities to foster a sense of community and belonging, such as potlucks, festivals, or fundraisers. Make sure you express your gratitude and appreciation, and inspire them to continue their involvement.