Family-school collaboration

Children spend most of their day at school. Therefore, it can be very helpful for parents to have a strong and frequent communication with the school. Here are practical steps parents can take to streamline communication with teachers and enhance collaboration for the well-being of their children:

1. Show interest

Showing interest in school topics will help the child to talk about it more easily and helps to realise that the parents are not only interested in their performance. Discussing the topics can also help to learn even more about it.

2. Teacher consultation day

Use the offer of consulting the teacher. If there is none such offer, you can ask for one. It can really help to talk to the class teacher or to specific teachers in person, especially when the child has problems in one subject. Even if the child doesn’t say something about problems, it is important to get another perspective.

3. Use communication channels offered by the school

The communication channels through which parents can get in touch with teachers vary from school to school. It is therefore important to know which channels are used and to check them regularly in order to stay informed about exams, excursions, projects, etc. (e-mails, telephone number, website, newsletters, …)

4. Participate in formal and informal meetings

Participate in in formal meetings like parents evening or information events. This gives you up-to-date information from the teachers and also puts you in contact with other parents. Additionally, informal meetings with other parents can foster the collaboration with the school.

5. Participate in your child’s projects

We do not mean that parents should do the school work for the children. It is much more about taking part in projects organised by the school. This offers the opportunity to see how your child interacts with classmates and teachers. If such projects are not offered, parents can also suggest a project that they consider important for their children, such as mental health, sex education or career choices.