How to communicate with the student’s parents

It is sometimes difficult for teachers and parents to find a common language, despite the fact that they have one common goal - the education and upbringing of the child. How to make communication with the student’s parents productive so that disagreements in the methods do not become an obstacle to obtaining a quality education? We suggest you apply five simple tips from our expert, who managed to visit both sides of the conflict.

1. Respect your parents

Parents of students are your reliable partners. Believe me, they want to see a partner in you too. For them, the success of the child is always in the first place.

A conversation with parents will help you determine how much your parents are willing to make contact with you in solving their child’s school problems. But even with the worst parents themselves, you should not give vent to emotions and show your neglect. Think of each parent as the best ally in the education and development of your students.

2. Prepare yourself carefully for the meeting.

What goal do you want to achieve in communicating with your parents? What specific do you want to talk to them about? What effect should be from the meeting?

Here is an example: my goal in a conversation with Masha's parents is to show them what success the daughter has achieved in Russian and give some recommendations on how to increase these successes in the future. From her mother I want to know how well Masha communicates with her peers, how well her social skills develop, what problems arise.

After setting the goal, prepare materials for the meeting: notes on behavior, work results and the work itself. Think about which of the materials you’ll show your parents: you don’t have to spend all the time in the meeting studying each leaflet. Mark the necessary materials with stickers, show the main successes of the student and prepare a couple of comments on each of them.

3. Focus on problem solving

Be specific when asking for parental intervention: the phrase “He gets distracted in the classroom” will not say anything to the parent. What should a parent do with this information? How can a parent help?

Whatever help you ask your parents, they should be able to help. Request "Can you tell him to be more careful?" will find a response from the parent. And the parent will speak and speak, only will this lead to any result?

It’s better to turn it this way: “I’m worried that your son is often distracted by independent work. Here’s what I’m doing to help him be careful

Does he act like that at home? Do you have any idea how best to influence it? Can you help me somehow?"

Always focus on the result. The behavior of even the worst student can be corrected under certain conditions. If you are concerned about the child’s behavior and want to change it, suggest effective ways out of the situation.

4. Learn more about the interests of the child.

What should parents ask to help the student? What would you like to know about him? If this is your first meeting with the student’s parents, try to learn more about the child’s past school experience, how parents relate to education, and how they see the child in the future. What bothers parents about their child’s behavior and education? Ask about the interests and hobbies of the child.