Keeping open lines of communication with parents is essential to providing the best possible care to their children. By ensuring that you communicate clearly, you make it easier for you, your staff and parents to support one another. As you work together and communicate effectively, you’ll develop a partnership that can help better manage child behaviors and support development.
By fostering a strong relationship between parents and center staff, everyone is able to be open about their feelings and ideas. When communication with parents is effective, early childhood educators can understand what is happening at a child’s home and how their families would like their behavior managed while in care.
When staff make an effort to have effective communication with parents and family in their preferred communication channel, they can explain to them what has happened over the course of the child’s day and how they are progressing in their overall development.
In order to develop this type of relationship and improve communication with parents, consider the following:
1. Ensure families feel comfortable with parent teacher communication
Families and staff must feel comfortable with each other in order to encourage parents to initiate both verbal and written communication. Different families may have various ways of communicating, so you and your staff members must be flexible and adapt to varying styles.
Whether a parent prefers face-to-face conversation, emails, notes, or phone calls, be prepared to contact parents using their ideal method to discuss their child’s learning.
2. Listen carefully
When a family member brings up an issue about what is going on in their child’s life at home, take time to actively listen. Parents want to be heard and it is important to understand parents’ perspectives.
Be patient and work to truly understand their point of view. If it’s not a good time for you to listen, schedule a time later so you can focus on what they have to say. Following up electronically is a good way to keep records of your conversation.
3. Take parent concerns seriously
After hearing a concern, whether it be about the child’s academic performance or how to support children’s wellbeing, reassure the family member that his/her concerns will not be taken lightly. If possible, explain how you will address any concerns when having this communication with parents.
If your facility is unable to accommodate their requests, be compassionate and practice active listening. Explain that you wish you could accommodate them, but are unable to due to rules or regulations that apply to your childcare facility.
4. Find solutions together
If a problem arises, see if your staff and the family can work together to find a solution that works for everyone involved. Look for a compromise, asking parents for their input. This problem solving approach will show that you value the parents’ input, and will boost parental involvement in the child’s education which will develop positive partnerships.
Brainstorm several possible solutions, and evaluate the pros and cons of each solution together to make a decision or plan of action. No one enjoys conflict, and ideally keeping lines of communication open can reduce tension long term.
5. Check in regularly
Don’t forget to check in with parents every so often to see how things are going and how they feel about their child’s progress. Remember that your relationship and communication styles will change over time, so you may have to adjust your strategies to make your partnership work.
Keep in mind the above simple strategies to make communication with parents open and honest. Working to improve your communication with families will make your job easier, and help parents feel more comfortable with their choice in your childcare facility and improve the child’s education!
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