Outside your home, daycare is the most influential environment in your little one’s daily world. After all, your child’s teachers do more than just look after them. They play a pivotal role in your child’s early development, starting them on the road to a positive lifelong educational experience.
Part of supporting your child’s growth is fostering strong parent-teacher relationships. When families and schools work together in partnership, children thrive. Read ahead to learn why it’s important to have a strong parent-teacher relationship and find some relationship-building tips to ensure your child’s success.
Parent engagement plays a vital role during every year of your child’s education. Learning how to strengthen parent-teacher relationships early on can set your child up for better academic performance after they finish preschool.
For example, let’s say you get yourself fully in the loop about what your child is learning at daycare. With this information, you can reinforce those lessons with learning opportunities at home — say, math games that complement those your child plays at daycare. Consistent routines are essential for healthy development.
If your child sees that you have a positive relationship with their teachers, they’re more likely to trust their care providers too. In fact, studies have shown that healthy parental involvement at school can improve behavior for kids of all ages. Higher parental involvement is also associated with better social skills and confidence in their children. This helps reduce stress for both kids and teachers, leading to a more positive child care environment for everyone.
A strong parent-teacher partnership can also give you peace of mind as a parent. If you’ve established strong communication with your child’s caregiver, you can drop your child off each day knowing they’re in good hands. You’ll be certain that, in addition to being safe and cared for, your child is getting an enriching learning experience.
If you want to start on the right note with your child’s teachers, here are ways you can create a productive parent-teacher relationship.
A great way to ensure a productive discussion with your child’s teacher is to prepare open-ended questions ahead of time. Ask about any milestones the program has set for your child. Check whether your child has progressed or regressed in their routine, such as whether they’re napping or not.
Your open-ended questions can also be great ways to start a productive dialogue. For example, if you’re concerned about your child being shy, you can ask their teacher how to help them build social skills and confidence. The most important thing is to always be respectful and remain geared toward finding positive solutions together. Remain willing to compromise on approaches and paths forward, keep working together, and take feedback and suggestions with an open mind.
A great way to see what your child’s day is like is to volunteer in the classroom. You can also attend or take a hands-on role at school events and see whether your child’s class has opportunities for you to participate. For instance, check whether the program invites parents to read to the kids. If so, share your child’s favorite story with their friends.
Some schools also have parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) that you can get involved with to support a strong parent-teacher community. Participating in school-based organizations is a great way to advocate for your child and make a concrete difference for the whole school. Whether you’re donating your time, talents, or resources, PTOs are a great venue for making positive changes that help every child thrive.
Early childhood education is all about helping your child build a good foundation for their future. Whether it’s giving them a leg up on academic success tomorrow or helping them with healthy socialization today, a positive parent-teacher relationship is key. The more open your communication is with your child’s teacher, the more you can learn how to support your child in and out of school. If you take a respectful approach, your child’s teacher will be happy to help you find the solutions that work best for your child.
Looking for ways to get more involved in your child's education and build a strong relationship with their teacher? Wonderschool offers a variety of resources for parents, including a blog with helpful tips on communication, involvement, and more. You can also use the Wonderschool program finder to see programs near you where your child can learn and grow in a supportive, nurturing environment. Visit the Wonderschool child care finder today and find a child care provider that fully partners with you on your child’s success.
Find a child care program that meets your needs from thousands of listings using our Child Care Finder. If you're a provider, create a listing to get discovered by families near you!
