Why is it important to build relationships with parents?
Building strong relationships with parents and carers is fundamental to a child's educational success. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) emphasises that parental engagement can lead to an additional four months' progress in a child's learning over the course of a year (EEF, 2018). Moreover, effective parent-teacher partnerships can:
- Improve academic outcomes and attendance rates
- Enhance children's motivation and engagement in learning
- Support better behaviour both at home and in school
- Provide a more holistic understanding of a child's needs and circumstances
- Foster a positive school culture and community
By actively involving parents and carers in their children's education, we create a supportive network that extends beyond the classroom, reinforcing learning and promoting consistent messages about the value of education.
Barriers to positive communication and relationship building
Despite the clear benefits, establishing and maintaining positive parent-teacher relationships can be challenging. Hornby and Blackwell (2018) identified several barriers that educators should be aware of:
1. Cultural and language differences. In diverse communities, language barriers and cultural misunderstandings can hinder effective communication. Some parents and carers may feel uncomfortable in the school environment due to cultural differences or limited English proficiency.
2. Socio-economic factors. Parents and carers from lower socio-economic backgrounds may face practical obstacles such as inflexible work schedules, lack of transportation, or childcare issues that limit their involvement in school activities.
3. Parents' own educational experiences. Parents and carers who had negative experiences in their own schooling may be hesitant to engage with teachers or feel ill-equipped to support their child's learning.
4. Time constraints. Both parents and teachers often struggle with time limitations, making it challenging to establish regular communication and involvement.
5. Misconceptions about roles and responsibilities. There may be misunderstandings about the roles of parents and teachers in a child's education, leading to reduced parental involvement or unrealistic expectations.
Strategies to support learning and build positive relationships whilst addressing barriers
To overcome challenges and foster strong parent-teacher partnerships, consider the following strategies, which take into account common barriers to engagement:
1. Establish clear, consistent, and inclusive communication
- Use a variety of communication channels (e.g., newsletters, emails, text messages, and social media) to reach all parents, considering those with limited digital access
- Provide regular updates on classroom activities, upcoming events, and children's progress in plain, accessible language
- Offer translation services or bilingual communication where possible, partnering with community organisations if school resources are limited
- Ensure communication is two-way, inviting parent feedback and questions, and providing multiple ways to respond
- Consider setting up a parent communication working group to help develop effective strategies.
2. Create a welcoming and culturally sensitive school environment
- Organise informal coffee mornings or 'meet the teacher' events at various times, including evenings, to accommodate working parents
- Display welcome signs in multiple languages and showcase diverse cultural elements in school decor
- Ensure the school reception area is friendly, informative, and staffed by approachable personnel
- Invite parents to participate in school activities and volunteering opportunities, offering a range of roles to suit different skills and availability
- Provide cultural awareness training for staff to better understand and respect diverse family backgrounds.
3. Provide flexible and accessible engagement opportunities
- Offer varied timings for parent-teacher meetings and school events, including options outside traditional work hours
- Implement home-school communication books for ongoing dialogue, with options for digital or paper-based formats
- Use digital platforms for virtual meetings and updates, but always provide alternatives for families without internet access
- Consider home visits or community-based meetings for families who struggle to attend school events
- Partner with local community centres or libraries to host events in familiar, non-school settings.
4. Support parents in home learning, acknowledging diverse family circumstances
- Provide clear, jargon-free guidance on homework expectations and how parents can help, regardless of their educational background
- Share tips for creating effective home learning environments, considering limited space or resources
- Offer workshops on key subjects like reading, maths, and phonics, providing childcare during sessions if possible
- Suggest simple, engaging activities that support the curriculum and can be done with minimal resources
- Create a 'learning resource library' where parents can borrow educational materials.
5. Celebrate diversity and promote cultural awareness
- Organise multicultural events that showcase different traditions and customs, involving parents in the planning process
- Incorporate diverse cultural perspectives into the curriculum, seeking input from parents and community members
- Invite parents to share their cultural experiences with the class, offering support and guidance if needed
- Provide resources and information in multiple languages, utilising translation services or bilingual staff/volunteers
- Establish a 'cultural ambassadors' programme where parents can act as liaisons between the school and different community groups.
6. Foster a growth mindset approach and build parental confidence
- Encourage parents to praise effort and perseverance rather than just results, providing examples of how to do this
- Share information about the importance of a growth mindset in learning, using accessible language and real-life examples
- Model positive language and attitudes towards challenges in all communications with parents
- Offer workshops or informal sessions on supporting children's learning, tailored to parents who may lack confidence in their own abilities.
7. Seek support and collaborate with colleagues
- Work with school leadership to develop a whole-school approach to parent engagement
- Collaborate with colleagues to share successful strategies and resources
- Engage with local educational networks or online teacher forums to exchange ideas and best practices
- Seek professional development opportunities focused on parent engagement and cultural competence
- Partner with school support staff, such as family liaison officers or SENCOs, to address specific family needs.
Key takeaways for primary teachers
- Prioritise building positive relationships with parents from the outset, recognising and addressing potential barriers to involvement
- Utilise a variety of communication methods to reach all parents, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility
- Provide clear, practical guidance on how parents can support learning at home, tailored to diverse family circumstances
- Create a welcoming, inclusive school environment that values diversity and actively promotes cultural awareness
- Offer flexible engagement opportunities to accommodate different family circumstances, including work schedules and cultural considerations
- Continuously seek feedback from parents and colleagues, adapting strategies to meet the evolving needs of your school community
- Collaborate with school leadership, colleagues, and support staff to implement and refine parent engagement strategies.
By implementing these strategies and maintaining a commitment to strong, inclusive parent-teacher partnerships, we can create a supportive, collaborative environment that enhances children's learning experiences and outcomes throughout their primary school journey. Remember that building positive relationships takes time and effort, but the benefits for children, families and the school community are immeasurable.
References
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). (2018). Working with Parents to Support Children's Learning: Guidance Report.
Hornby, G., & Blackwell, I. (2018). Barriers to parental involvement in education: an update. Educational Review, 70(1), 109-119.
