12 Tips to Help You Create Strong and Trusting Relationships with Your Child’s Care Givers and Educators
Everybody wins when you develop a strong and positive relationship with your young children’s caregivers and educators. Parents and teachers, when working together and communicating openly and frequently, foster a healthy learning environment and create a strong support team for your child’s overall development. When your child sees that you trust his or her care and learning providers, it makes it easier for them to do so too!
Research from the Early Learning Network shows that “when parents and teachers work as partners, children do better in school and at home.” Specifically, researchers say that children are more adaptable to new situations, have fewer behavioral problems, have better social skills, and get along better with everyone when parents and teachers are in synch about their learning and development goals and work together to achieve them.
We know that parents are already stretched thin with daily home and work obligations but that you want to be engaged in your child’s learning and growth. To help busy parents create and maintain these important relationships, below are some effective ways you can establish and nurture good relationships with your young child's teachers.
Introduce Yourself: Whenever your child starts a new school year or child care program, introduce yourself to your child's teacher. Share about your work schedule, your family unit and interests, and your preferred methods of communication. Don’t forget to ask some “get to know you questions” to the teachers and how they prefer to be contacted. This sets the foundation for open communication.
Attend Parent-Teacher Meetings: Make an effort to attend scheduled parent-teacher conferences and meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child's progress, strengths, and areas that may need attention or celebration!
Communicate Clearly: If you have concerns or questions, or want to share a compliment or accolade, reach out to your child’s teacher using their preferred communications channel: email, phone, or in-person. Make sure your messages are clear, concise, and respectful of their time.
Utilize Communication Channels: Many child care programs and schools use apps, social media, emails, or communication boards to keep parents informed about school and classroom activities, assignments, and events. Stay engaged by regularly checking these platforms.
Volunteer: If your schedule permits, volunteer for classroom activities, field trips, or special events. This shows your commitment to your child's education and allows you to interact with the teacher and other parents.
Share Information: Inform the teacher about any relevant changes in your child's life, such as family events, health issues, or changes in routines. This helps the teacher understand your child better, especially if they are having an off day or overly tired.
Respect Their Time: Teachers have busy schedules too. When communicating, be respectful of their time and avoid sending them too many messages. Consolidate your questions or concerns into fewer, more comprehensive messages.
Also, please keep in mind that drop-off or pick-up may be an appropriate time for quick chats or updates but not in-depth conversations as other parents and children need attention during that time too.
Schedule a meeting when you need more than a few minutes of their undivided attention but be flexible and accommodating as they are busy too.
Express Gratitude: We can’t say this enough: express appreciation for the teacher's hard work and dedication. A simple thank-you note or gesture can go a long way in building a positive relationship.
Attend Workshops or Events: Participate in workshops, seminars, or events organized by the preschool. These can provide valuable insights into the curriculum and teaching methods, as well as give you an opportunity to interact with teachers in a different setting.
Support Classroom Activities: If you can't physically be present due to your schedule, consider supporting classroom activities in other ways, such as donating materials or assisting with at-home activities.
Collaborate on Goals: Work together with the teacher to set goals for your child's development. Discuss strategies to support these goals both at school and at home.
Attend School Events: Attend school-wide events, such as parent-teacher association meetings, open houses, and school performances. These events provide opportunities to connect with teachers and other parents.
Remember, building a strong relationship with your child's teachers is a collaborative effort. By being proactive, respectful, and engaged, you can create a positive and productive partnership that benefits your child's development and learning experience.
Additional Resources:
School Involvement that Counts – NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
Establishing healthy parent-teacher relationships for early learning success – Early Learning Network
Building Parent-Teacher Relationships – Reading Rockets