20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships With Parents

One of the most beneficial aspects of teaching is building positive relationships with parents. Here are 20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships With Parents

One of the most beneficial aspects of teaching is building positive relationships with parents. Effective parent and teacher communication is essential for a teacher to be successful. A good relationship between parents and teacher is invaluable towards maximizing the time that the teacher has with that student.

A student who knows that the teacher communicates on a regular basis with their parents and who knows that their parents trust the teacher will likely put more effort into school.

Here are 20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships With Parents

1. Smile When You See Parents

Greet the parents and smile at them every time. A warm, positive and friendly encounter can make a lot of difference.

2. Learn Their Names

Learn the name of all the parents and declare the intention to maintain better relationship with them. Make clear the positive effects of a good parent-teacher relation on their children.

3. Declare Your Intention

Tell them that you want to partner with them, that you appreciate their support, and look forward to working together.

4. Establish an Open Door Policy

Create an open-door policy in your classroom. Establishing an open-door policy has helped increase parental involvement. Parents are welcome to participate in activities or simply observe. Incorporating an open-door policy has also helped to build and strengthen trust.

5. Make a Positive Phone Call Home

If you have a self-contained class, call all homes within the first couple of weeks and then at regular intervals throughout the year. If you teach many students, identify those students who perhaps need a positive call home.

6. Lead with the Good News

Give positive praise first when calling parents or meeting with them to discuss a concern. Every kid has something good about him/her. Find it. Share it. Then share your concern. Adhere strictly to this rule.

7. Find a Translator

Find a translator if the parent cannot talk the language of the teacher. Never hesitate to maintain contact with parents.

8. Progress Reports

Each Friday, in the parent-teacher communication folder, parents are given a weekly progress report updating them on their child's academic and social progress.

9. Ask Questions about the Child

Ask queries about children. "Ask parents to inform you if a child faces any personal problem that disturbs him/her, Who are the special people in her life -- family or family friends? What do you think are her best characteristics? What was he like as a little boy?" Demonstrate an interest in knowing your student.

10. Listen to Parents

Listen to the parents because they know a whole lot about their kid and also encourage them to speak for the children

11. Smile at the Child 

When talking to a parent in front of a child, smile and make eye contact with the student to demonstrate that you care about him/her. Recognize what he/she has done well in your class in front of the parents. Then share a concern, if you have one.

12. Invite Parents to Share

Distribute a survey at the beginning of the year (if parents don't read/write in English, students can interview them and relay their answers). Find out what parents know about and what skills they have. Invite them in especially if it connects the curriculum and content. Let them share with you their cultural traditions, interests, passions, skills, knowledge.

13. Let Parents Know How They Can Help

Many want to help but especially as kids get older, parents aren't asked for help as often and don't know what to do. There's always some way they can help in the classroom.

14. Be Very Specific

Provide ways parents can support their child at home: "You can help your child with her math homework by asking her to explain how she got an answer," or "As you're reading stories at night, ask your child to make predictions. This strengthens reading comprehension."

15. Be a Broker of Resources

If they share a concern, be prepared to point them to a direction where they can find help. If you share a concern ("Your daughter spaces out and doesn't pay attention") be prepared to suggest what the parents can do.

16. Explain Your Instructional Decisions

Take the time to do this and help them learn about the education system if they're not familiar with it. Help them understand what you're doing and why.

17. Invite Parents to Participate in Making Some Decisions

Parents can be invited to participate while making important decisions. Listen to their opinion and arrive at a conclusion depending on that

18. Thank Parents

Both individually and publicly for their support, perhaps in your weekly newsletter. Recognize what they do to help your class and how it's impacting students.

19. Contact Them With Good News Regularly

Let parents know what their child is doing well, what academic skills, social skills or knowledge he's mastered.

20. Invite Parents to Celebrate and Break Bread Together

Communities are strengthened when people come together in celebration. Start the year with a potluck. Share food and stories about food. We all bond over food.