One way children can have a support system in their academic journey is by parents and teachers committing to ongoing communication. Parents and teachers have busy lifestyles, and sometimes communication can be overlooked or even a dread-- but it doesn’t have to be. By making it a habit, parents and teachers can stay connected and collaborative for children’s success in school. Take a look at these four habits that can be easily remembered for better parent-teacher communication on the Bloomz app.

Ask a Weekly Question

Habits for Teachers.
Just like essential questions are used in weekly lesson plans, teachers can also use these questions on a weekly basis in notification messages to parents. Essential questions can be a way teachers get to know students and parents to build stronger relationships. Here are some examples of weekly notification questions that teachers can ask parents:

• What improvement have you seen in your child this week?
• What does your child like about coming to school?
• What do you and your child like best about our classroom so far?
• Do you have any questions this week?
• What do you see as your child’s biggest struggle so far?
• What do you see as your child’s biggest strength so far?

These questions will not only help teachers and parents communicate, but it will also be a way for parents and teachers to collaborate for the child’s success in the classroom. Communication is essential to make sure a child gets all their needs met by the teacher and school.

Habits for Parents.
Parents can also create essential questions each week for the teacher. An essential question could be related to their child’s progress in the classroom or simply a way to see how things are going throughout the year. The following questions are great examples parents can ask teachers to keep communication open throughout the school year:

• How is my child doing this week in class?
• Do you need any parent volunteers?
• Is my child running low on school supplies? Do you need me to get more?
• Has my child turned in homework this week?
• How did my child do on the math test this week? Is there anything I can do to help at home?

With open communication, it will not only help parent-teacher relationships, it also helps children’s progress in school. When children see that everyone is invested in their learning, they will work harder and be more invested, as well.

Send a Monthly Message

Habits for Teachers.
Sending a monthly message is a good way to say something positive to parents about how things are going in the classroom. The monthly message could be a recap of the month or an individualized parent message. One example is to create a monthly newsletter that explains what happened throughout the month, highlights student achievements, and explains how parents can get involved. Monthly newsletters will keep parents on track and informed with what is happening in the classroom setting.

Habits for Parents.
Teachers like nothing better than to hear positive words from parents. Parents can send positive words of encouragement and stories about things their children have said or are excited about each day they come home from school. If parents have concerns about their child’s progress, this could also be a time that information can be shared. It’s important for parents to be proactive in communicating with teachers in order to stay ahead of their child’s progress in the classroom.

Create a Biannual Note of Thanks

Habits for Teachers.
It is crucial for teachers to share a moment of thanks to parents for everything they do. Parents make sure their children are dressed, fed, and at school on time every day. They also are in charge of helping their children in times that they struggle or in need of completing homework assignments. Teachers should take time to thank parents for all that they do for their children. As teachers, make it a priority to send a thank you note to students’ parents each semester. Not only will this brighten parents’ day, but it will also give them encouragement and create a more positive parent-teacher connection.

Habits for Parents.
Teacher Appreciation Week is not the only time teachers like to feel appreciated. Teachers like to feel appreciated the whole year through. Parents should take a moment to thank a teacher for all that they do for their children. A teacher makes sure children are safe, fed, encouraged, and successful in school. They make sure children learn how to get along with others, share, and behave in a public environment. Teachers help mold children to become successful and would love to be shown appreciation throughout the year. Not only would this make their day, but would also give them extra motivation throughout the year.

Display Students’ End of Year Accomplishments

Habits for Teachers.
Teachers can display student improvements throughout the year, and especially accomplishments at the end of the year. Teachers can take snapshots of students’ work and send the improvements or accomplishments to parents in private messages. This will allow parents to be actively involved in their child’s learning and give them an opportunity to send words of encouragement to their children throughout the day.

Habits for Parents.
Parents have an opportunity to give teachers insight on what their children accomplish outside of school. If a child does well on a homework assignment or completes it independently, parents can take snapshots of the homework and send it to the teacher in a private message to show that the child is studying hard at home. Parents can also share other moments of accomplishment with teachers, such as the child’s achievements in extracurricular activities. This will allow teachers to congratulate the child when they return to school and share the excitement with the class. This encouragement will give students more confidence, and will let them know that their teachers care about their improvements and accomplishments in and outside of school.

Resources:

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