As you know well, building strong teacher parent relationships is essential for creating a positive and supportive learning environment. Especially in elementary grades, a strong teacher-to-parent connection can be integral to a successful year.
That said, it can be tough to find the time to establish connections with parents while you’re also trying… to do everything else that comes with the beginning of the year.
I hope that these tips spark an idea that will serve your classroom well. Please do not feel pressured to try ALL of these ideas at once; instead, pick a few to try out – you can always add more in later!
“Parent:” A quick note on inclusive language
You’ll note that I use the word “parent” throughout this post. I’ve chosen this word for ease & to help you find these tips, but by parent I mean any family stakeholder: caregivers, trusted adults, etc. Within my classroom, I refer to these folks with my students as “your grown-ups.”
By “parent,” I mean any family stakeholder: caregivers, trusted adults, etc
Without further ado, here are some effective ways to foster these critical relationships at the beginning of the school year – and beyond!
Build teacher-parent connections from the start
Compose a welcome letter (or email!):
Send a warm and personalized welcome letter to parents introducing yourself, sharing your teaching philosophy, and expressing your excitement to work together. Ensure that your letter is accessible to all parents by translating it to relevant languages and providing it in multiple modes (hard copy & email, for example!). A personal touch like a family or pet pic never hurts either!
Send a parent/ family questionnaire
Secondly, send out questionnaires or surveys to parents to gather information about their child’s interests, learning styles, and any specific concerns or goals they have for the school year. This is also a great time to learn about students’ cultures, traditions, etc. so that you can create a responsive, inclusive classroom environment & curriculum!
Host a Back-to-School Night
Organize a back-to-school night or open house where parents can visit the classroom, meet you, and learn about the curriculum and expectations for the year. I love to organize these in an “Open House” style where students and families get to explore the classroom at their own pace. I create both student and parent-facing documents to guide their self-guided tour. Meanwhile, I “float,” ready to meet families & answer any questions that may arise.
Consider daily communication for the first weeks
This is a heavy lift, especially in those beginning days of school, but I’ve had parents really appreciate these short, picture-heavy daily updates. I include a short list of things we did that day (titles of books we read, activities, etc.) along with some pictures of our day. Oftentimes, I’ll also incorporate short “ask me about” sections with prompts for questions for parents to ask their children. Pro-tip: After a couple of days, encourage your students to co-create these updates with you; they’ll feel more ownership & are more likely to discuss them with their parents!
Set clear expectations for ongoing communication
Answer parents’ questions before they even ask! Inform families of your communication plan. As the school year goes on, will you be sending a weekly email? Publishing a monthly update? Share parents on a digital growing slideshow to share about classwork? Find a system you know you can adhere to and communicate it clearly to parents. Be specific about the format(s) it will take, the content, and when they can expect it.
Establish boundaries about teacher-parent communication
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to set firm boundaries about how parents can reach you throughout the school year. Will you answer phone calls? What’s your expected response time on emails? Alongside what works for you, it’s important to consider any school/district policies and expectations when considering healthy boundaries.
Establish strong parent-teacher connection routines
Maintain clear communication channels
This sounds like a repeat, but once you’ve established clear and consistent communication channels, keep them up! Choose a mode – such as email, a class website, or a communication app – and then stick with it to keep parents informed about important updates, events, and student progress.
Start with the positive!
Reach out to parents to share positive news about their child’s progress, accomplishments, or acts of kindness. I know it’s hard to fit in to the bustle of the first weeks of school, but this positive practice helps build trust and reinforces the partnership between home and school. It also lets parents know you see their student as an individual.
Provide Parent Volunteer Opportunities
Provide various opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom or participate in school activities. Their involvement fosters a sense of ownership and investment in their child’s education and gives caregivers a chance to witness learning firsthand. Our policies about parent volunteering got reworked through the pandemic, so make sure to check out the rules in your district!
Conduct parent workshops!
As an individual, teaching team, or whole school, host workshops on topics like comprehension strategies, supporting math at home, or navigating technology. This empowers parents with knowledge and resources to support their child’s learning at home. I ask parents for input about what they’re most interested in and keep these sessions short: about 20 minutes of a “presentation” with 10 minutes for questions/answers. I also like to make them virtual to match my – and families’ – schedules more flexibly. An after-bedtime 8:00 session has been very popular!
Maximize Parent-teacher Conferences
Be sure to share out the school schedule for parent-teacher conferences early in the year so that busy families can reserve their time. These conferences are amazing chances to discuss their child’s strengths, areas for growth, and set academic and behavioral goals collaboratively. Read here about how we conduct student-led conferences at my school!
More creative ways to build lasting teacher parent connections
Engage in Collaborative Problem-Solving
When classroom challenges arise, work together with parents & students to find solutions and develop action plans that support the students’ success. As you maintain open lines of communication, invite families to work alongside you to help with issues from running out of tissues to classroom bullying. Not only will you get great ideas, but you’ll build buy-in by asking for input.
Celebrate Diversity and Cultural Awareness
Embrace and celebrate the diverse backgrounds and cultures of your students and their families. Incorporate multicultural activities, celebrations, and literature that reflect the student body. I love to send out an inquiry at the beginning of the school year with a section for families to share about their traditions. Inviting both students and caregivers to participate in a celebration-centered project like this one is another great idea!
Attend School and Community Events
Show your support by attending school events, extracurricular activities, and community gatherings. This demonstrates your commitment to the students and builds rapport with parents outside of the classroom. Think: dance recitals, community markets, soccer games, etc. A little bit goes a long way!
Teacher parent relationships: worth the effort!
Remember, building strong teacher-parent relationships is an ongoing process that requires open communication, mutual respect, and active collaboration. By investing time and effort into these relationships, you create a solid foundation for a successful and supportive school year – and beyond!
What would you add to this list of parent-teacher communication ideas? I’d love to hear about what you do in your classroom in the comments below!
Read more!
Looking to learn more as you prepare for a new school year? Check out these other blog posts!
