Communication between the home and school can take place as often as needed. However, be mindful of time constraints not only for yourself, but for the education professionals as well. If all is going well, maybe once a month or quarter send a positive email about something your child learned or positive experience they had in school. Good news is always welcome. If there is a problem, you may need more frequent contacts. They should be short and consist of clarifications or reports to resolve any issues. Remember to comment on what is going right and avoid the temptation to focus entirely on the problem. Acknowledge and thank your child’s teacher for taking extra time to support your child.
The first objective in your communication is to build a relationship with your child’s teacher. You are forming a partnership to ensure a successful support group for your child. Be generous in showing appreciation for how the teacher is helping your child. Ask about what you can do at home to support the school. Get clarification on how instruction is provided and your role in the process. Establish a rapport that facilitates sharing your child’s success, collaborating on what supports are needed when your child is not being successful, addressing issues and problems as they emerge, preventing potential problems, and maintaining effective communication. It can be a personal relationship or a more formal professional relationship, but it will be in your child’s interests to establish a respectful and collaborative relationship with your child’s teacher.
This positive relationship will serve you well when a problem or conflict needs to be resolved. It is much easier to clear up a misunderstanding with a friend than with a stranger. Remember to wait to initiate communication until you have your emotions under control. Begin by expressing appreciation for what has gone well. State the problem objectively without making accusations. Recite the facts as you know them and ask for clarification, giving them the benefit of the doubt. Listen to the other side of the story and continue sharing information until the problem is resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. End the conversation with appreciation for their time and a compliment on their performance as an education professional or on your relationship with them.
The quality of your relationship with your child’s school will have a direct impact on the quality of the education your child receives. Your passion for getting the best education possible for your child can be contagious. You can remind educators of why they chose this career. Offer to add your knowledge and commitment to your child to their professional expertise. Form an effective team dedicated to doing whatever it takes. Take time to celebrate your child’s successes. Be as generous with your praise, gratitude and appreciation to their school as you are to your child for their efforts. When you and your child’s school are allies, not adversaries, the energy is directed at supporting your child. This is the way to get the best education possible for your child.