Children spend the majority of their day with either teachers or parents. Studies have shown that children whose parents-teacher relationship is healthy, perform well academically. Successful education of the child in all spheres needs a solid partnership between the parent and the teacher. Teachers benefit from having an inside view of the child’s psyche. On the other hand, parents are better equipped to academically support their children at home. It is an ideal, win-win situation for everyone involved.

1. How to Establish Healthy Parents Teacher
Relationship?
Children spend the majority of their day with either teachers or parents. Studies have
shown that children whose parents-teacher relationship is healthy, perform well
academically. Successful education of the child in all spheres needs a solid partnership
between the parent and the teacher. Teachers benefit from having an inside view of the
child’s psyche. On the other hand, parents are better equipped to academically support
their children at home. It is an ideal, win-win situation for everyone involved.
Forging a good relationship with parents can be tricky for teachers, and a lot of this
responsibility rests on their shoulders. Here are a few pointers on how you can establish a
good relationship with the parents of your students:
Communication
Communicating often and well is an integral part of establishing a good relationship with
parents. Every parent wants to know how their child is doing in school and improve. You
can use email or phone calls to keep them updated on any important developments.
Thanks to custom made platforms like Schoolmojo, you can engage parents productively
without losing your privacy & focus. You can also use other apps like Class Dojo to keep
parents apprised of how their child is doing. It’s best to have these important
conversations on a dedicated platform rather than mix it with social media like WhatsApp
or Facebook – to maintain decorum, avoid deviations & refer back to key exchanges.
More importantly, make sure alwaysto share positive news about their child. For decades,
a phone call from a teacher has been a child’s nightmare. Create a positive association by
frequently sharing useful information and informing the parents of their child’s
achievements and improvements. When you do call with negative feedback, be solution -
oriented. Be compassionate and empathetic towards the child without cornering them
inadvertently.
Communication is a two-way street. While you get to know about the child and his/her
parents, make sure that they get to know you & the positive efforts you put with their child
as well. It can create a virtuous loop towards a common goal of a child’s progress. Have
fun ice breakers at Parent-Teacher Meetings, and open up communication lines where

2. parents can raise questions freely and seek advice. Rather than a chore, make Parent-
Teacher Meetings fun and something to look forward to for parents.
Positive Practices
A positive attitude when you interact with parents can go a long way in dictating how your
relationship is later. Always smile and get to know their names when you meet them. If
the parent speaks a language you do not understand, find a translator in advance.
Parents do appreciate it when you explain how you conduct classes and answer any
questions they may have. Take their input on how you can best help their child reach their
potential. If they share any concerns with you, be sure to offer help and guidance. A lot of
the time, their concerns may seem needless, but always listen to them carefully. Parents
know their child best and can be essential sources of information for their continued
growth and learning.
Pay attention to the language you use, and do not make any assumptions about their
situation at home. Find out their preferred mode of contact, and use it whenever you need
to. Alternately, enroll them into your preferred mode of contact & frequency of it. Follow
through at appropriate intervals. In this regard, it is very useful if the school subscribes to
a ‘Parent-engagement’ platform for all staff rather than let each staff have to labor to
choose an appropriate app.
To strengthen the parents’ role in a child’s learning, it is always a good idea to have events
or activities which let them be part of their child’s education. Parent volunteer activities,
parent surveys, and open classroom days all help them feel involved and informed about
their child’s education.
Collaboration
A collaboration between the parent and the teacher can be most beneficial for the student.
Convey yourexpectations for the child’s progress and invite input on how you canget there
together. In case of any problems, discuss practices you can adopt in class, and they can
adopt at home to aid the child’s development. It is essential to avoid the blame game and
brainstorm solutions together.
Encourage and invite them to share their perspectives and ideas. In return, suggest
healthy practices that can be followed at home, such as a quiet atmosphere during study
time, the extent of help allowed with homework, etc. In this regard, the School

3. Administrator’s communication directly to all the parents at one go, sharing valuable
inputs or links to third-party references or YouTube videos, will strengthen teachers’ own
efforts.
Have consistent opportunities throughout the year where you canengage with parents and
chalk out ideas for the child’s academic and emotional growth. Incorporate parent input
in your classroom policies and lesson plans. Trust the parent’s instincts and be open to
their suggestions. Inreturn, explain your viewpoint as a professional and request that they
trust you as well. Having an open-door policy will certainly help facilitate smooth
collaboration.
Final Thoughts
A healthy relationship through seamless communication between the teacher and the
parents can significantly influence the child’s academic success. More importantly, it also
helps facilitate the emotional growth of the child. With both parties looking out for the
child’s best interest, he or she is sure to attain great success in optimal utilization of her
potential. The child’s growth is what both parents and teachers strive for. While it may
require more time and effort from both parties involved, it is undoubtedly worth it. A
successful partnership between the two can help the child reach their full potential, in turn
creating a better world for all of us.