Examples of Strategies to Communicate with Families
Here is my table on how to share information with families, which is communication with
families. Some of these are just general class activity information and others are more
specific to communicate with parents about their child.
It is very important to have a good relationship with parents. When teachers and parents
work together the child will progress the most. The strategies that the teachers use
should be continued at home so the child’s education is consistent.
Teachers have to tell parents about the success of their child, and they have to talk
about what needs work and work together to change behaviours to appropriate
behaviours. Face to face communication is always the best. Written communication can
be misinterpreted. I feel that waiting for parent-teacher interview time would be too long
a time to go without talking to parents. If meetings are set for once a month or every two
weeks everyone can be prepared and attend the meeting with questions and concerns.
I keep a google doc of meetings with parents. In the document I record the date and
length of the meeting, and who was present. I have a list of my information I would like
to share with families. There will always be strengths and when necessary stretches. At
the end of the meeting, I document what were the concerns of the parents and what
was covered.
Sharing Information with Families
Method How it works Positives Negatives
Parent and teacher There are two It is an opportunity Not all families go
interviews formal ones to start to create a to the meeting.
through they are relation with Frequently only
set for only 5 parents. have 5 minutes to
minutes for each talk to parents, this
family. makes it rushed.
Interim Report Can choose to only It gives the teacher In general, I feel the
Cards give comment and another opportunity interim report card
mark for students to communicate is not taken as
with 60% and less with parents. I like seriously as the
to use this main one.
opportunity to
communicate with
all parents about
students learning.
Phone Calls Phoning the I prefer a It is difficult to
parents at home. conversation with contact parents
parents so there is during school
no misinterpretation hours.
of information.
Meetings in Person Set up a meeting This is the It is
with parents after preferred method time-consuming,
school or before for me. Parent and parent arrives late
school teacher should be you have to stay
about to sit and late to meet the
discuss the best parent. If you have
way for the student a volatile parent
to reach their full you need the
potential administration to be
present.
email Send an email to It is quick, the Message can be
the parents. teacher is trying to misinterpreted
contact parents
when they are not
at home or when
they are at work
and cannot talk.
Request a meeting Meet with the I feel it is best to It may be difficult to
with the parents. parents after school meet in person so coordinate a time to
when you have there is no meet. It may be late
time to talk. miscommunication. after school.
Class Allows families to Parents can Is just about what is
Blog see inside the comment on some being done in the
classroom, what is blogs. Allows them classroom. No
being done. a voice in the direct
classroom. Great communication with
for creating a families.
conversation about
school with children
at home.
School Blog Keeps families up Creates The information on
to date on conversation for the blog may not
happenings at parents, may feel pertain to your
school. It is better more involved in child.
than a webpage the school life of
because it is students.
regularly updated.
Radio or It allows students to Students also learn Parents may want
PodCasting develop valuable to manage, their children to
[Link] communication collaborate, and contribute but they
skills. Allows problem solve. may be reluctant. It
parents to hear may be voluntary in
what is happening class.
in the classroom