Category: communication

Family-Teacher Communication

This blog discusses three barriers in communicating with families at a childcare center and offers remedies for each. Documentation helps address challenging behaviors, dialogue is key to overcoming cultural and language barriers, and delegation ensures smooth pick-up and drop-off transitions. Effective communication, cultural respect, and teamwork are highlighted as essential in fostering positive family-teacher partnership!

Barrier 1:  Challenging behaviors

Remedy: Documentation

Though it might be tempting to overlook difficult behaviors, especially when the same child repeats the same behavior over and again, documentation helps children, families, and teachers to grow. Documenting the time and circumstances helps teachers and families collaborate to find the best solution for the child, including whether outside help is warranted.  It is important to report “just the facts” both on paper and when reporting the incident to the child’s caregiver.

Barrier 2: Cultural/ Language barriers.

Remedy: Dialogue

Part of quality, inclusive care involves learning about and respecting your students’ home language, customs, and culture. Have parents write down (or teach you to sign) important words and phrases, such as “potty,” “eat,” “thirsty,” and “help.” Ask questions and keep an open mind regarding customs you may not be familiar with. Stay humble and be a student of your students; I know I have learned much from the children I’ve taught over the years!

Barrier 3: Not being there during pick-up/ drop-off.

Remedy: Delegation

Many lead teachers work in full-day programs, meaning that sometimes we don’t connect in-person with certain family members. This is why it is critical to communicate with co-teachers at the beginning/ end of your shift. Openers, be certain to give closers a run-down before leaving for the day, especially if there is paperwork for families to sign. It is helpful and courteous to set up closing teachers for success with activities and daily schedules for them to do after you leave. Closers, in addition to filling out necessary reports, please leave a note if an incident happens after a lead leaves, or if parents have communicated something such as an upcoming absence. Refer parents with tough questions to admins; that’s what they are there for!

Your Turn

What trips you up when it comes to communicating with families? What works well for you personally or a co-teacher you admire? As always, find joy this week and don’t forget to be joyful!