Communication skills needed for a teacher with parents

A teacher who has to deal with students' parents regularly needs excellent communication skills in talking, listening, writing and reading. Teachers need to be able to explain clearly, to reassure, to persuade and to motivate parents. Most of the time this will be in face-to-face situations, but teachers also need to communicate via the written word with letters and reports.

1. Talking

   • Teachers need good verbal communication skills in order to discuss children's progress with their parents. Sometimes the discussion will center on sensitive subjects, such as bullying or educational under-performance. In these situations, teachers will need to display empathy and explain personal failings or tricky circumstances directly but with sympathy. Sometimes teachers will need to communicate to large groups of parents so presentational skills are also important. Parent-teacher conferences are an ideal opportunity for teachers to communicate any concerns or praise about the child to his parents.
     

   Listening

   • Teachers often have to listen to parents' concerns about their children. These can range from food allergies to a marital break-up and its effect on the children. Teachers need to hold back from giving advice and jumping into the conversation and listen purposefully to understand what the parent is saying. Indeed, it might be what the parent is not saying that is important. Sometimes a parent will simply want to unburden her worries and the discussion might veer away from the child's educational performance. Listening is a vital skill that enables the teacher to gain a greater understanding of both the parents and children.
     

   Writing

   • Teachers need to communicate effectively and clearly in all their written dealings with parents. For example, if the class is going on a field trip or a day visit the teacher needs to get some critical messages across in a letter home, such as the time of pick-up and return, and what the parent needs to provide on the day. Teachers also need to write sensitively and accurately about children's performance and grades during their school experience. Parents tend to place a lot of value on teachers' written comments about their children, so teachers need to choose their words carefully in report cards and school-to-home notebooks. Newsletters are an effective communication tool as they can keep parents up to date with news and events.
     

   Reading

   • Teachers need to read any communication from parents, whether this is a letter, note or email message, with care. If a parent has been moved to write to a teacher, then the subject is obviously important. As in the more passive communication skill of listening, teachers need to read between the lines in a letter or note. The information in the letter might be significant enough to prompt a discussion with colleagues or the principal. Sometimes the teacher might need to set up a meeting with the parents as a result of the written communication. Attention to the words themselves, and any underlying meaning, is vital.