Explores ways in which teachers can develop positive relationships with their students' parents.

1. DEVELOPING POSITIVE
RELATIONSHIPS WITH
PARENTS
Why, When and How!!!

2. IMPORTANCE
The development of positive relationships between teachers and their
students’ parents is imperative to the academic success of these students.
Parents and families can provide a substantial amount of support to
teachers as they have a more thorough knowledge of their child/children.
This is invaluable in helping the teacher be more effective . In turn,
observing the relationship between their parents and teacher the child will
be more motivated to attend and succeed in school, as they will be more
trusting of their teacher because their parents do too.

3. IMPORTANCE CONT’D
Communication is the foundation of the positive parent-teacher
relationship. There must be clear continuous communication from the
onset. Dispensing timely information to the parents creates a strong
and effective relationship. Parents need to be aware of what and how
their children are learning, their children’s academic and social
progress and the role they can play as parents in their child’s
education and development.

5. TEACHER AND PARENT
RELATIONSHIPS
View the following video by organizer, parent and Chicago Public
School graduate Cecile Carroll, who shares what she's learned about
the need for relationships between teachers and parents.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxJIsZsYKQQ

7. HOW PARENTS BENEFIT
Positive parent-teacher relationships greatly benefit parents. The method and
approaches utilized by teachers in communicating and interacting with parents
affects the extent and quality of parents’ involvement in their children’s
learning particularly at home. Parents also acquire the insight and knowledge
of how to assist and support their children by having positive parent-teacher
relationships as they will be learning about their children’s academic program
and how it works. In addition, parents will have a greater appreciation for the
role they play and value their involvement in their children’s class and school.

9. HOW TEACHERS BENEFIT
Parent-teacher relationships helps lighten the load of a teacher,
allowing the teacher to focus more on the task of teaching. Teachers
are also able to learn more about their students’ needs, interests and
home environment from having a relationship with parents. This
information will help the teacher in adapting and tailoring to meet
those needs and interests. Teacher morale and confidence is also
boosted as parents who are involved tend to have a more positive view
of teachers.

11. HOW STUDENTS BENEFIT
Parental involvement and positive parent-teacher
relationships benefits students in that there is an increase in
their academic achievement and motivation to learn, along
with more regular attendance, improved behavior and
attitude and a positive overall approach and outlook on
school and learning.

14. WAYS TO DEVELOP POSITIVE
PARENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS
There are numerous ways that teachers can work on developing
a healthy, positive and co-operative relationships with the
parents of students in their classroom. We shall explore some
of these in the upcoming slides.

15. 1. EXPRESS INTENTIONS &
PLANS FROM THE START
Begin the school year, from as early as registration if possible, to
express your desire to work with parents and how appreciative you are
of receiving that support. Specifically providing ways that parents can
partner with you to support their child at home. Instructional
decisions, plans, goals and class expectations should be made known to
parents. Explain how and when you as the teacher will get and keep in
touch with the parents throughout the school year.

16. First Impressions are lasting ones, making the most of the opportunity
when initially meeting your students parents!!!

17. 2. GAIN INSIGHT FROM PARENTS
Converse with parents with the specific aim of gathering as much
information about their child as possible. Parents know a lot about
their child and are a source worth tapping into. Ask questions about
the child. What activities they enjoy doing? What are their best
characteristics? Etc. Parents themselves may have skills that would
be helpful to the development of your classroom, as such allowing
them to share their interests, passions, skills and culture is also an
asset.

18. The distribution of surveys are an easy way to gain parental
insight!!!

19. 3. COMMUNICATE OFTEN
Good teachers communicate frequently. If a parent receives the
information from the teacher there is a lesser chance of
misinterpretation. Thus teachers should regularly provide information
about what is going on in their class. What is being learned and
accomplished, the growth that is seen in the child and lots more.
It is important that parents are also contacted with positive
information about their child. Unpleasant news can be discouraging.

20. 4. GIVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK
 Contact parents with good news regularly.
 Make positive phone calls home. When a phone call from school conveys
good news the home and school environment improves.
 Whenever calling home or meeting with parents to discuss a concern
always begin by giving positive praise first. There is something good about
every student, find that and share it.
 Share the successes of the students by letting parents know what their
child is doing well and the skills he/she has mastered.

21. 5. CHOOSE VARIOUS
COMMUNICATION MODES
Effective communication though crucial can be time-consuming. However,
there are numerous ways to communicate with parents. It is important that
parents are consulted with the communication methods that works best for
them. Using multiple communication methods allows parents to hear from
you in ways that are most suitable for them. It is not possible to rely on a
single method of communication that will reach all homes as there is great
diversity among families.
An effective teacher will use various means over the course of the school
year!

22. COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
 Parent newsletters
 Home visits (where applicable)
 Phone calls and texts
 Emails
 Weekly or monthly folders of student work
sent home for parent review and comment
 Progress reports
 Annual open houses
 Curriculum nights
 Annual school calendars
 PTA meetings and conferences
 Homework hotline
 Annual field days
 School website
 Class web pages
 Notices and handouts
 Workshops for parents

24. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
INVOLVES
1. Teacher initiation
2. Timeliness
3. Consistency and frequency
4. Follow-through
5. Clarity and usefulness of communication

26. REFERENCES:
 Aguilar, E. (2011, 23rd September). 20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships
With Parents. [Weblog]. Retrieved 10 June 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-
tips-developing-positive-relationships-parents-elena-aguilar
 American federation of teachers. (2007). Building Parent-Teacher Relationships.
Retrieved 10 June, 2016, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/building-parent-
teacher-relationships
 Williams, K. (2016). 9 Techniques for Building Solid Parent-Teacher Relationships.
Retrieved 10 June, 2016, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/9-techniques-
building-solid-parent-teacher-relationships