Gone are the days when parents heard from teachers only when their child did not perform well in academics or was struggling with some other issue. Now, due to technological development and instant access to information, parents show more interest in their child’s education.
Most modern-day parents wish to collaborate with the teachers to ensure that their child gets the best education. They look forward to regular reports of their child’s progress and expect their opinions to be heard. Teachers also aim for a similar relationship with parents.
For the majority of children, the most significant people in their lives are their parents and teachers. These are the people they spend most of their time with, who influence their day-to-day activities and guide them through their schooling.
Children do best when their parents are connected to their school in meaningful ways. A perfect blend of teacher and parental involvement in a child’s education is one of the biggest contributors to their success.
Here are the ways in which teachers and parents can work together to improve a child’s learning experience:
1. Communicating effectively
Frequent two-way communication between parents and teachers is essential for the former to stay updated on what is happening at school and to let the latter know important things about the child.
Parents and teachers should communicate with each other throughout the academic year. They should discuss the child’s learning style, what stimulates, bores and interests them and any other issue(s) that might affect their learning.ADVERTISEMENT
Parentteacher meetings are a great opportunity for parents to communicate with the teacher and track their child’s academic performance. Also, these meetings are a great way to discuss any troubles or questions regarding the child.
Ways of staying in touch and creating a positive two-way relationship include sending emails, messaging, volunteering in the classroom or adding comments to a homework notebook or student diary.
Additionally, parents can have a quick talk with the teacher while dropping off or picking up their child.
2. Following a cooperative and collaborative approach
Collaboration and communication go hand in hand. If communication is frequent, the collaboration will be easier.
A collaborative approach implies that both parties work together as equals, towards a common objective of enhancing the child’s learning, development and well-being.
In the teacherparent collaboration, it is important to be mindful that both parties have unique areas of knowledge and skill.
Parents are well-versed with their child’s developmental history, interests and lifestyle. Teachers have the knowledge of teaching, assessment strategies, rules and the child’s school performance.
Parents and teachers should share this knowledge in a collaborative manner to support the child’s academic achievement. It includes relating what the child is learning at school with how they learn at home.
This helps parents respond to the child’s learning challenges, thereby extending their learning.
3. Facilitating and encouraging learning after school
Teachers’ understanding of the child’s capabilities is very useful to parents while creating home-learning conditions.
Parents should support after school learning by interacting with their child positively about school and teachers, providing a supportive environment at home, and nurturing the child’s interests.
To build interest in studies and reinforce what is learned in the classroom, parents should stay abreast of topics being taught. They should encourage their child to create a routine for their homework.
They should also provide learning materials, read with the child and encourage healthy eating habits and physical activities.
Being involved in a child’s education shows that parents support their learning. The more supported a child feels at home, the more effectively they will learn at school.
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Education is a consequential phase in a child’s development and growth. Parents and teachers should work together as a team, towards creating the best possible learning environment for the child and foster physical, emotional and intellectual well-being.
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