Communicating With Families: Blog #7
We all know how critical it is to communicate regularly and effectively with the families (parents and caregivers) of children with disabilities. Please discuss how to learn to understand and then practice positive family communication skills.
It is important to start by being a good listener. Listen for the message that is being said. Often times parents can be frustrated and they may cause you to feel defensive when communicating. Take a step back, put yourself in their shoes and listen for the message that is being delivered. Remain calm. Start out by saying something positive. What is the student doing well? Share a positive story with the parent. Hopefully this will help facilitate positive communication between everyone.
ReplyDeleteBeing a good listener and listening particularly for the message being sent by the parent is so important for positive communication to occur.
DeleteTeachers strive to establish partnerships with parents to support student
ReplyDeletelearning. Strong communication is fundamental to this partnership and to
building a sense of community between home and school. In these changing
times, teachers must continue to develop and expand their skills in order to
maximize effective communication with parents. Open communication is always the best policy to have. Face to face, phone calls, emails, blogs etc... Staying connected to the parents and helping the child meet their expectations, and listening to meet needs for the child, as well as the family are essential..
You are correct in that there are so many ways to communicate today- finding the most effective mode of communication for each family is crucial.
DeleteBeing available to communicate and willing to listen is important. You want parents to feel like they have a say and can be heard. If a teacher is constantly putting them down, being negative, or not willing to listen, they may feel that that is how you treat their child as well. If parents prefer email, text message, face-to-face, teachers should accommodate that. I feel that you should always start the conversation with a positive comment. Parents probably think that when a teacher calls its because their child did something bad. If a teacher gets in the habit of calling for positive things, I feel that the relationship between parent and teacher will be stronger. I am going to try and do that this coming year - make more positive phone calls home.
ReplyDeleteCalling parents about positive things their child did can be so encouraging to the parents- it's a great habit to get into!
ReplyDeleteHaving open lines of communcation with parents is vital. You can not rely on notes being passed back and forth for all parents. Some parents are not involved with homework so notes in backpacks can get over looked. Trying to find a communiction technique for each family is important. Some parents are dying to speak directly to you while others prefer email or text. As Selina mentioned making positive phone calls is always appreciated by parents. I know that sometimes we are taken by surprise by what parents say, we need to really listen to what they are saying and put down our defenses and try and understand their view on things.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter had a teacher who would always thank the parents for being allowed to be part of thier child's life. I always thought that was so nice. We do share our children wiht teachers and just as teachers share a little part of themselves with each of their students.
That is so true that notes in backpacks may never make it into the hands of the parents that it was intended for.
ReplyDeleteI interviewed a parent for my intercultural interview and I gained some insider information about home-school communication. In order to ensure open lines of communication and open minds, it is important for the parent to feel that you want to have their child in your class and that you understand that they are, in most cases, doing the best they can at home. I agree with Selina about the positive first, make a positive phone call home first so that the parents do not associate you with bad news or negative feelings. Ensure the parents that you see their child as an individual and that you have his or her best interest and utmost independence at heart. The communication should be authentic and honest. You may also have to be flexible, as an educator, with modes of communication. If the parent does not prefer email, you may have to go out of your comfort zone and meet face-to-face. If the parent will not come in for a meeting, you may have to seek out emails or phone numbers. A positive demeanor and honest, concise information will go a long way with a busy, yet loving parent.
ReplyDeleteIt is wise to be flexible in your mode of communication with families- you are correct that you may need to go out of your comfort zone for the benefit of the families you work with.
DeleteIt is important to be as non judgmental as possible when communicating with the parents of your students. Finding a way that works best for each family and not giving up are the two things that I find to be the most important. I have had experiences in which I tried to contact the parent via email, phone, and notes home and I still would not get a response. I found out later that the parents had a very negative view of schools because of their experiences in the past. It is easy to assume that the parents must not care about their child's schooling, but it is vital that we take a step back and try to understand that each family comes from a different situation and we shouldn't be so quick to judge. I agree with my peers that it is a good idea to make positive attempts of communication, and let them know that you truly care about and support their child. It is also a good idea to ask them about their child and what their goals are. Let them be a part of their child's learning and education, but don't be discouraged or judgmental if the family is not as involved as you would like them to be. Just like we should never give up on our students, never give up on trying to effectively and positively communicate with the parents of our students.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of taking a step back and not being so quick to judge a family- great insight!
DeleteI definitely agree! Taking opinions "out" and being non-judgemental is key!
DeleteIt is very important to me that all of my students’ parents feel involved in their child’s education. The way I do this is by keeping the lines of communication open. I only have 8 students so I am able to communicate with their parents on a consistent basis. Parents really appreciate if you keep them posted on how their child is doing in school whether it is behaviorally, academically, or socially. Because of my students’ behaviors, most of their parents want daily reports on how their child behaved that day. I use a communication notebook for most of my students that I write in daily. The parents are able to write back to me if they have any questions or concerns. I have a few students who do not have behavioral problems as often so I communicate with their parents either weekly or sometimes even monthly. If something out of the ordinary happens to any of my students, I usually make a phone call to their parents instead of writing in the notebook. If you keep the lines of communication open, listen to the parents’ concerns, and update them regularly on how their child is doing, the parents will realize how much you care for their child and that you want to see progress. The parents will greatly appreciate your efforts.
ReplyDeleteI too believe that parents want to communicate with their children's teachers in any way that is possible.
DeleteI feel that the communication notebook is an effective form of 2 way communication. I would love to communicate via email but that isn't a possibility for all of my student's families. The area I teach in is low income and high poverty, so we have to communicate as low tech as possible.
DeleteYou bring up some awesome points, Melanie! I can definitely relate. I typically only have 5-8 students at any time, which allows me to really get to know each of my students' families. I love that part of my job!
DeleteEffectively communicating with parents on a regular basis can at times be a cat and mouse game due to the wide different levels parents may show in terms of support or no support for their child. I have learned the importance and value of patience. I made a phone call to a parent once and instantly realized it was not a proper time to accomplish effective dialogue. By staying positive and requesting when a more appropriate time would work for them, they were able to set aside that specific block of time to answer questions and concerns that I had. Being able to pivot and find the right approach for each parent is a challenge, and it takes time, but when you have received their support and hear their appreciation at a parent-teacher conference, it is all worth it in the end.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good idea to find a more appropriate time to speak to parents when you had concerns- I'm sure they really appreciated it.
DeleteIt is very important to establish an open line of communication with families from the start of the school year. Providing frequent communication in the form of phone calls, emails, letters home, meetings, and messages on the online grading system are the best ways to address parent concerns from the beginning when you notice them in the classroom. In that sense, parents are informed about the academic deficit or behavior concern. Checking and responding to your emails and voice mail messages in a quick manner is also important when parents have questions. Of course, it is always important to contact parents for positive things that happen in the classroom, especially if a student has made improvements. As mentioned in the video, it is essential to find something that you agree with when a parent addresses a concern. The parent notices that you are listening and will be more willing to hear your side of the story.
ReplyDeleteLetting parents know that their child is making improvements is music to their ears- they must hear positive as well as negative things.
DeleteI think as teachers we are too focused, at times, on what needs improvement and forget to acknowledge the improvements. I try to always begin any parent communication on a positive note.
DeleteIt is very important for teachers to create rapport with the families of their students. Continuity is vital for our students. When a relationship is established between home and school, the child receives consistency. Parents also benefit from being involved in their children's education by getting ideas from school on how to help and support their children, and by learning more about the school's academic program and how it works. Substantial evidence exists showing that parent involvement benefits students, including raising their academic achievement. There are other advantages for children when parents become involved — namely, increased motivation for learning, improved behavior, more regular attendance, and a more positive attitude about homework and school in general.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct that parental involvement benefits students, even raising their academic achievement- great blog post!
DeleteAt the beginning of every school year, even if I have previously taught the student, I send home a few different parent surveys. These include questions about the home, school, and student preference. I will also be sending home reinforcement inventories this school year. When I send home a welcome letter I include my contact information and the best days and times to get in contact with me. I use a behavior management app called Class Dojo which provides up to the second information about behavior to the parents after they download a free app. There is also a messaging feature on the app where I can send and receive messages from the parents. This app is an easy and free way to keep in contact with parents.
ReplyDeleteWow- it sounds like some great technology to use with parents. I wish we were able to meet in person so that you could share it with your classmates.
DeleteI really liked that video we watched on how to communicate with parents using the 3 D's. When communicating with parents finding something positive to agree on is the best way to handle a situation. Parents can become upset and by agreeing with them opens the conversation up and make the situation easier.
ReplyDeleteAs a special education teacher, I think communication should be a daily occurrence. It can either be with a chart home, note, or phone call home. I think by asking the parent how they would like to communicate could be beneffical so you both are on the same page.
Wow- if you can have daily communication with your parents, that is an awesome goal! It is definitely beneficial to all involved so I hope you are able to do it!
ReplyDeleteI try very hard to make sure the parents of my students to understand they, their childrens and I are all partners in the success of the student. I make a point every school year, weather I have had that student previously or not, to send post cards at the middle of summer, sharing how my summer has been and asking how theirs ( the student and family) has been. I do this to establish that we all have a realtionship and to open those lines of communication early. I send another post card two weeks before school start to the students and parents individually. One to the students to ask them to start brainstorming ideas of what they want to work for and achive for the school year and one for the parents to outline important dates to be aware of, and how to contact me if needed and to offer resources that may be helpful to them. I make weekely calls home, good and not so good. I send home by monthly progress reports, and everyday the students have a planner with theri daily point sheet. This way, the parents are almost over informed, and have no excuse to say they are unaware of what is going on or how to contact me.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of sending postcards in the summer to your students asking how they are. It shows that you think of them all year- not only during the school year.
Delete: I think it’s important to remember that you always want to validate the feelings parents are having, never dismiss what they are saying to you. Feel sympathy and always restate what they said so they know you are listening and you know you grasped what they were trying to tell you. Don’t ever talk down to them and try not to use jargon they would not be able to understand. Also put information in terms they would understand. Keep in mind their cultural background as well as their educational background. Invite opinions and find out what they do with their child at home to help with their education. You want to make sure you make them feel important, and that you are a team wanting only what’s best for their child. Think to yourself how would you want to be treated in this situation?
ReplyDeleteAnnette
I love your idea of validating parents' feelings. Then they know they are heard and can be a part of the educational process for their child.
ReplyDeleteJust as it is so important for us as special educators to build relationships and rapport with each of our students, it is also so important for us to do so with our students' families. I typically only have 5-8 students at any time, so I intentionally invest time in building relationships with each of my students' families. Knowing information such as whether or not your students have siblings or pets, or what they do with their families over the weekend, can actually make a difference. When you know each student and his/ her family on a personal level, it is likely that his/ her parent(s) will recognize that you are invested. Being able to have "small talk" with my students, especially after a "break" or even a weekend, is something that I love about my job. All of my students have behavioral concerns and have BIPs. There have been so many occasions where something that is going on at home impacts a student's day at school. Parents will also call or email me to give me a "heads up" if something like that happened. Having open communication with parents can help bridge that gap, and can save you a lot of time and even frustration.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have worked very hard to have open lines of communication with your student's parents. That is so important and as you said, can save you a lot of time and frustration.
DeleteIt is important to first establish pathways of communication with the parents in your classroom. A teacher should begin by calling the parents of her students and establishing an open door for communication. The teacher should also send home a "getting to know your child" survey to discuss the students likes or dislikes. The teacher should also invite parents to chaperone community outings or plan a visit to the school's campus to see observe the activities their child engages in on a daily basis. The teacher should also visit the students community and home to gain a better understanding of the students cultural background. The teacher should also provide the students parents with information about the student's therapists, classmates, and para educators. It is important to utilize technology as well. The first thing I do in the morning is check my email and with a busy schedule parents may not have the time to call or may call only to leave a voicemail. An email usually receives a fast response.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of visiting your students' community. I also like that you take the time to call your students' parents. These are two excellent communication practices.
ReplyDeleteEstablishing a relationship with the parent is a great way to develop a positive communication practice. As Elim's head basketball coach I first introduced myself to my parents and determined the best way for the parent to communicate. By communicating in a way the parent is comfortable with they are more open to establish a positive relationship. I was also very sure to provide positive feedback and have a conversation with parents after every practice or game. I feel this positive interaction opens the parent up to more communications because they are not always expecting that "bad" call from the teacher.
ReplyDeleteParents love positive feedback about their child, especially if their child has a disability. This is an excellent practice to get into.
DeleteCommunicating with parents is vital to a successful and meaning experience for the students. I create a binder with every students personal information. I created a log sheet to keep track of the times, duration, and information about the contact. Making sure that parents know exactly what is going on in the classroom to ensure the parents are aware of assignments, projects and upcoming events. I try to rotate the amount of students that I contact from month to month to make it fair. I also do not just call when there is an issue; I also call when there is good things going on as well.
ReplyDeleteI love it that you have gotten into the habit of calling with good news as well as difficult news- parents need to hear the good stuff too!
DeleteI love it that you have gotten into the habit of calling with good news as well as difficult news- parents need to hear the good stuff too!
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