Topic 4 Communicating with parents

Teachers play a fundamental role in communicating effectively with parents to

create a mutual respectable learning environment. The teacher should aim to
actively involve the parents in everyday schooling to enhance the students
growth and love towards education not only at school but at home and in the
community. Providing carers with the opportunity to participate in school matters
such as policy reviews supports promoting an outside school perspective
(Groundswater-Smith, Ewing &Le Courno, 2015).
Emerson (2012), insists having parents and carers involved in the learning
process helps not only enhance the educational learning taking place but also
behavioural management techniques. The acrostic poem on the black board
perfectly summarises the role of the teacher endorsing an inclusive environment
by participation, active, responsibility (shared), engaging communication,
nurturing, teacher and student welfare. Areas that parents can be involved in
varies considerably from preparing costumes for school plays to helping on
school excursions. If parents have special abilities in certain areas the teacher
could utilise these skills in the classroom providing the students with a new
opportunity.
There are also legalities that teachers need to put into practice when
communicating with parents. These practices include monitoring parent helpers
by ensuring they understand and preform the school policies and carry a worker
with childrens check on them. The legalities of a teacher creating an inclusive
environment for parents is in align with APST 3.7 engage parents/carers in the
educative process.
It is important to include carers in the education process as they are key
stakeholders in the students success. It is through families influences whether
the student is going to grow a love of education. Parents can also bring important
and unique skillsets to the classroom that might enhance your classes. When the
stakeholders of the child come together they can improve student learning and
support (Ferlazzo,2011).
Below is a list of some activities parents/ carers could be involved in. This of
course is not only a glimpse of the wonderful opportunities that can be
incorporated in the school community and the classroom.

Time/Date Activity / Location

Term one Swimming Carnival Byron
Pool
Term two Grandparents Day Meet in
cola
Term three Fathers Day Breakfast Meet
outside art room
Term four Book Parade Meet
Library
References:
Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership. (2014). Australian
Professional Standards for Teachers. Retrieved from Australian Institute for
Teaching and School Leadership: http://www.aitsl.edu.au/australian-
professional-standards-for-teachers/standards/list.

Emerson, L. (2012). Parental engagement in Learning and schooling: Lessons

from research. Retrieved from Australian Research Alliance for children &
youth: https://www.aracy.org.au/publications-
resources/command/download_file/id/7/filename/Parental_engagement_in_lear
ning_and_schooling_Lessons_from_research_BUREAU_ARACY_August_2012.pdf.
Ferlazzo, L. (2011). Involvement or Engagement? Schools, Families,
Communities, 68(8), 10-14.

Groundswater-Smith, S. Ewing. R., and Le Cornu, R. (2015). Building family-

school-community partnerships. In Teaching: Challenges and Dilemmas (pp. 325-