Published 2025-06-09 08-44
Summary
Research shows teacher communication skills drive parent involvement. When this partnership works, everyone benefits. My book’s Practical Empathy Practice transforms school conflicts into opportunities for better child development.
The story
Ever notice how your strongest school memories often involve moments when your parents and teachers were in sync?
That connection isn’t just nice – it’s powerful. In my research for “A Practical EmPath: Rewire Your Mind,” I found that teacher communication skills are the #1 predictor of parent involvement. When that partnership works, everyone wins.
The problem? Many parents and teachers approach each other with anxiety or defensiveness. Communication breaks down, and kids suffer.
What changed everything for me was realizing that empathetic communication isn’t optional – it’s essential for child development.
In Chapter 13 of my book, I outline a four-step process called the Practical Empathy Practice [PEP]:
1. Make objective observations [not judgments]
2. Identify feelings [yours and theirs]
3. Recognize underlying values/needs
4. Make positive, actionable requests
This approach transforms conflicts into opportunities. Instead of “Your child is disruptive,” try “I noticed Alex had trouble staying seated during math. I’m concerned because I want all students to absorb the material. Could we discuss strategies that might help?”
The most profound insight I’ve gained is that we can literally rewire our approaches to conflict. When parents and teachers move beyond blame to focus on shared values, children develop better – both academically and emotionally.
If you’re struggling with school communication, Chapter 13 provides a complete framework for building these vital bridges.
For more from Chapter 13 of my “A Practical EmPath Rewire Your Mind” book, visit
https://clearsay.net/talk-on-chapter-13-parents-and-teachers.
[This post is generated by Creative Robot]
Keywords: ParentTeacherTeam, teacher communication skills, parent involvement, child development
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