Parents and teachers can create magic when they start positive, truly listen, connect regularly, solve problems together, and create consistency between home and school.
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5 Ways to Build Strong Parent-Teacher Relationships That Help Kids Thrive
I’ve spent years working with families and educators, and I’ve seen firsthand how the parent-teacher relationship impacts a child’s success. These five approaches make all the difference:
1. Start with positives. Sharing good news first builds trust before tackling challenges. “I loved how creative Jamie was in art today” creates an entirely different conversation than leading with problems.
2. Make communication truly two-way. Parents know their kids in ways teachers don’t. When teachers ask, “What activities does your child love at home?” and use that information, amazing things happen.
3. Connect beyond formal conferences. Quick chats at pickup or brief check-in calls build the relationship you’ll need when challenges come up. The best partnerships feel like conversations between allies.
4. Address concerns early as shared challenges. Frame issues as puzzles you’re solving together rather than problems to report. This keeps everyone focused on solutions instead of blame.
5. Involve parents in meaningful ways. When parents understand classroom activities and have clear ways to support learning at home, kids experience education as a consistent, supported journey.
I dive deeper into these approaches in Chapter 13 of my book “A Practical EmPath: Rewire Your Mind” – including exact phrases to use and exercises to transform difficult relationships.
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