Parent involvement in the classroom is a win-win-win: It can help teachers who are routinely pressed for time, parents feel more connected to the school, and — most importantly — students with involved parents do better in school.
Experienced teachers may find parental involvement in the classroom naturally high some years. At other times, extra efforts to bolster teacher communication with parents are needed to help make sure parents are involved in classroom activities and emphasize its benefits for students.
Here are five key strategies for teachers to help spur parental involvement in the classroom from the first day.
1. Start on the Right Foot
Believe it or not, some parents feel uncomfortable participating in classroom activities because they’re unsure how or when to help — or even if their help is needed. Teacher communication with parents can answer all their questions and start a two-way conversation, leading to better relationships throughout the year.
Have each parent fill out a form that gives you more information about their child, and make sure to reciprocate by giving information on your own background. Parents who feel they know you might be more willing to be involved.
2. Recruit Parental Involvement in the Classroom
Parents are more apt to help when it fits their availability and skill sets. After all, not everyone has the time to help with reading circles during the middle of the day, and not everyone enjoys that one-on-one time with kids.
That’s why it’s important to share a multitude of ways to get involved in the classroom, such as:
- Grading papers or prepping projects at home
- Helping with web presence
- Planning class parties
- Overseeing fundraisers
- Participating in career day to share their expertise
- Chaperoning field trips
3. Get Parents Involved Virtually
Many classes may involve virtual interactions and virtual learning. This creates opportunities for parents to get involved with their child’s classes online.
For example, parents can be “virtual readers,” reading books to the class over a video meeting. Parents can also meet with the class to discuss their careers or do a virtual show and tell.
Virtual meetings may work great for parents with busy work schedules, helping them get involved from their workplace or home.
4. Maintain Regular Communication With Parents
While sending information home with students as “backpack mail” can be tempting, not every child will deliver it to their parents, which can lead to confusion and a communication breakdown. Commit to communicating with parents frequently so they’re aware of what’s going on.
In addition to sending weekly or monthly emails, look into websites for teachers to communicate with parents. Your page can serve as a central space for details on volunteer opportunities, classroom needs, upcoming calendar notes, homework assignments, field trip forms, and any other information they may need.
5. Create a Resource Center for Involving Parents in the Classroom
Even though their heart is in the right place, parent involvement in the classroom can become disruptive if volunteers need supervision or aren’t sure what tasks they should complete.
To head off questions, you can create an area near your desk or in the back of the room where you can leave details on ways to get parents involved in the classroom, whether you need them to decorate the bulletin board, sort papers, or make copies of the next week’s homework worksheets.
Above all, thank them for their efforts and interest in their child’s education.
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