Parent Communication
Every preschool manager wishes his or her agency could be staffed exclusively with highly motivated, enthusiastic individuals who have flawless personalities. These employees would always be happy and satisfied; they'd never complain, become argumentative, or make unreasonable demands. Teams would work effectively across classrooms, and conflicts between coworkers would be nonexistent.
This ideal could never exist, nor would we want it to! The diversity of our employees, specifically their job skills, personalities, and individual quirks, creates a workplace that is both interesting and stimulating. But on occasion, we encounter the truly "difficult" employee: someone whose personality, attitude, or approach to work and life is so skewed, that it causes problems for you and your school.
Difficult employees are a huge drain on a program in terms of wasted time, reduced productivity, greater inefficiency, increased employee turnover, and in extreme cases customer loss. Employees who work with difficult coworkers suffer from low morale, a declining commitment to their work, decreased job satisfaction, and greater levels of stress and frustration. That's why it's so important for schools to understand what motivates difficult employees, and how to effectively manage them.
Top 10 things teachers do to prevent successful communication
- Negative body language. People do not want to speak to someone who is disengaged or seems uninterested.
- Teachers not choosing the right attitude.
- Teachers having an "I don't care attitude", or "not being there" for the parent when they have a concern.
- Teachers giving the center a bad name. Remember, you never know who is around you. On the weekends and evenings, talking about events or children in your program should be avoided.
- Lack of knowledge about what is going on in the classrooms. The worst thing we can ever say to a parent is, "I don't know!"
- Not following up with the parent.
- Negative or loud voice tone.
- Teachers not having fun!
- Saying things like, "We cannot do that" or "That's not our policy".
- Or saying, "That's not my job!"
- Giving our staff, parents, and the kids the runaround.
It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It!
Next are 10 things you can do to help with parent communication:
- You must have a passion for being a teacher.
- Teachers should let staff, parents, and kids know you love what you do and are willing and excited to make a difference.
- Become an advocate.
- Teachers need to be personable!
- Teachers must do their best every day to be friendly. Even when you don't feel like it - FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT!
- Make their day!
- A Smile is the universal language of friendship.
- Teachers must have a positive attitude.
- Choose your attitude.
- Always stay positive about the staff and children. Interactions should always be positive.
- Compliment the parent on parenting!
- Compliment the child!
- Compliment the staff members.
- Work hard at being an encourager.
- Professionalism is imperative.
- Always be in the dress code; dress for success.
- Watch your language and mannerisms.
- Have an organized classroom - remember first impressions.
- Be a good teacher! Have fun!
- Always return calls within 24 hours.
- Proof correspondence for errors.
- Avoid confrontation issues with parents.
- Handle phone calls with courtesy and closure. Model good phone behavior for children.
- SMILE!!
- The Center's philosophy upheld
- What is your center's philosophy?
- This philosophy must be upheld by every staff member.
- Remember: We all think differently - global or detail.
- Teachers must develop a strong relationship with all parents, staff, and children.
- Relationships must be a priority.
- Greet every parent and child; use the 10-feet rule.
- Always be warm.
- Greet the individual with a smile and a question.
- Give a fond farewell.
- Always be proactive.
- Teachers should be the first to speak; and inquire about the day.
- Offer to serve the staff and parents (remember the 10-foot rule).
- Offer to assist the child!
- Always be prepared to handle problems.
- Respect the confidentiality of parents, staff, as well as the child.
- Report problems in private.
- Always use the "sandwich" method.
- Pick your battles (Number one rule for teachers!).
- THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!
- Always present the day's happenings.
- Parents need to know what is going on in the classroom so that they can encourage conversation at home.
- Kids need to know what is going on in the program. They also need to be reminded of what was done.
- Give specifics, such as names of books, songs, and field trips.
- Inform the parent of teacher changes.
- Customer Service and Parent/Child Communication Assessment
- Once a month, have someone come in and evaluate your customer service.
- Children are our customers, too!
- If you were being evaluated today, how would you do?
- What would people say about the way you communicate?
Parent Communication Checklist
- Children's artwork is displayed and framed in the lobby, office, or communication area.
- Lesson plans are posted.
- Daily schedules and routines are posted.
- Teacher's schedules are posted.
- Daily note with specific information about the child's day is delivered each day.
- Field trip information is posted in advance.
- Menus and allergy reports are posted.
- A file system with individually labeled children's folders containing documentation of their work.
Other Ideas to Enrich Communication
- A comfortable environment in your common area for parents and children to interact.
- A parent resource library.
- A scrapbook of your program.
- "What We Did Today" boards.
- "Kick Off Questions" for parents.
- An easel with announcements or pictures parents see when they first walk in and walk out.
- Interactive bulletin board for parents to post information about their travels, business, and culture.
- A media center.
- Video tape classroom activities and send parents clips via email.
Getting Parents Involved
- Invite parents to read to small groups.
- Cook and share a family recipe.
- Field trip volunteer.
- Have parents sing to children or write down words to special songs.
- Teach the children a dance or art.
- Ask parents to share their own childhood stories.
- Eat lunch with the children.
- Allow parents to breastfeed infants.
- Encourage parents to talk to other children.
- Encourage parents to contribute to curriculum planning.
- Send home supplies to make clay dough.
- Ask parents to help locate music, clothing, everyday objects, and cultural items.
- Ask parents to save "beautiful junk".
- Encourage parents to hang up children's artwork.
- Ask parents to talk to the children about their day.
- Help plan for special events.
- Write or edit the school newsletter.
- Assist in fundraising.