It’s the start of the new school year and you’ve prepared your classroom. You’ve met your students, but you’ve only briefly met your parents.  

Read on to find out the number one secret to more parental involvement. Parents can help you to do much more once you have their support.

The number one secret to more parental involvement is to make sure your students are learning.

This may be anti-climatic but I’ll make it clearer with a first hand experience with one of my students and her parents.

It was October and I got a new student in my kindergarten classroom. She was very shy and slow to warm up to the other students in the classroom.

As the teacher, I assessed her and saw that she was not at grade level but with my help and support she could definitely meet the goals that I had for her.

I worked with her in small groups. I began to build a relationship with her by talking to her and encouraging her to speak up just a little bit more in class.

She was making progress but I knew she could exceed my expectations based on my informal assessments.

Her parents, when I first met them, were apprehensive and worried about her starting over at a new school.  

I reassured them but sometimes evidence is the best reassurance. I continued to work with her. Parent conferences came around and I spoke to her parents about her progress and to my surprise they said “we see a difference in her in the short time she’s been in your class”.

It felt great to hear them say that, not for me, but because I knew that they would support the classroom. They came to volunteer in the classroom and the dad would always come to me to discuss anything when he had concerns. 

Once parents see that their children are learning, they’ll feel good about the progress their child is making. Then, they will want to contribute to the learning environment because they know their child will benefit even more. This is the little known secret to more parental involvement.

A bonus tip for more parental involvement is that parents sometimes just want to feel heard and validated.

I’ve had parents come and talk to me then get emotional because they feel like they’re not doing enough for the children.

I just actively listen and reassure them that they’re doing their best and everything will work our for the better. It always surprises me after my conversations with them, it’s almost like the parents breathe a sigh of relief.

Summary:

1. Make sure your students are learning
2. Practice active listening

What are some secrets you have for more parental involvement?