Communication between parents and teachers is necessary, especially for the parents’ ease of mind.
However, sometimes this communication might suffer a dysfunction. Reasons vary from how parents see their children compared to teachers’ reality to what children tell and do not tell their parents. In this connection between parents and teachers, one thing is a must — trust!
Trusting your child and your child’s teacher are two things that sometimes are in contradiction.
But the truth is both parents and teachers want the best for the children.
Parents want the best learning path for their children, and teachers want to have good results and do their job successfully.
Thus, both parents and teachers share the same goal — the best for students.
Is there a need for a direct connection with the teacher?
Yes, there is.
It may be a greater or lesser need, but the “need” exists. And the reason it exists is that parents need to know about the child’s gaps, and teachers need to understand how and how much they can rely on parents.
This depends a lot on the child’s needs as well. Some parents need less involvement, and some need to be aware of everything. And then, some teachers want to connect with families more and some less.
Should we include the child in the parent-teacher communication?
The parent-teacher communication has nothing to do with either of them and everything to do with the child. This is why including the child in this communication is a must.
It does not mean that parents cannot communicate with teachers alone; it just means students should be aware of the contact between their parents and teachers and have the option to step in and be a part of the conversation or meeting whenever they want.
Any disruption would prompt the child to think you cannot trust them or that they cannot develop a trusting relationship with the teacher. And neither of these does well for the child’s wellbeing.
How can parents become a team with the teachers?
When did being a team mean the easy way out? Almost never — being a team requires hard work and understanding. This is precisely what a parent-teacher relationship means.
To be a team, sharing is the key.
Parents should share:
- What works at home
- Their expectations
- Their perceptions of what is going on
Teachers should share:
- What works in class
- View on what does not work and how it can be improved
- How parents can be of help in the child’s learning path
This team also needs the child’s voice. Thus, children should be heard and listened to. Before making assumptions about their needs, both parents and teachers should first listen.
Children should share:
- What they need
- Why they do not feel engaged
- How they struggle
- What they love
- What their passions are
- What their expectations are
These are just a few ideas. Anything that worries you as a parent or teacher should be shared. Both parents and teachers can work toward the best for the children by being allies.
Having the communication channels open is the key to your child’s success at school.
Conclusion
Listen to your children and allow them to feel comfortable telling you their needs and coming to you for help. While the kind of support varies, children need to know we trust them — both as parents and teachers. Communication is the key to understanding their needs and being there for them.