As a parent or guardian, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. As your child grows, others in the community will play unique roles in their growth and development. Teachers are especially vital in supporting your child’s education and can influence their early childhood experiences.
Developing great parent-teacher partnerships is essential in preschool. When educators and parents work together, children have better experiences in school, develop more critical skills, and receive the education they need to flourish in kindergarten and beyond.
This article will explore why parent-teacher partnerships are important during the pre-K years and how educators and parents can foster them. Reach out to the caring educators at New Horizons Learning Center in Port Richey, Florida now to learn more about our nurturing preschool programs or to schedule a visit to our school.
Why Are Parent-Teacher Partnerships Important?
Preschool-aged children have a wide range of abilities, experiences, needs, and challenges. Getting to know each child is essential to providing a thoughtful, enriching preschool education.
Parent-teacher partnerships are at the heart of a wonderful preschool experience. When parents and teachers work together, children benefit. Parents can share their child’s unique strengths and needs better than anyone else, giving teachers better insight and allowing them to shape lesson plans to meet each child’s needs.
Teachers can also relay important observations and insights from the classroom back to parents, letting families seek specialized services and support when necessary. A solid parent-teacher partnership allows caregivers and educators to coordinate to give kids what they need and adjust an educational approach as their needs change over time.
How Educators Can Foster Parent-Teacher Partnerships
Early childhood educators have a responsibility to foster parent-teacher partnerships–but they also get excited about this essential part of the job. Developing and maintaining good relationships with parents and caregivers has many benefits and can enhance their students’ preschool experiences in many ways.
Here are some ways to nurture parent-teacher partnerships in early education.
1. Develop respect
Early educators have valuable education and experience that can help them support and nurture students’ growth and development. However, parents are experts in their children’s lives, and their input is essential. Educators must show respect for their students’ parents. This can be done in many ways, including:
- Listening to families’ thoughts, opinions, and suggestions
- Maintaining good communication in person, via phone and text, email, and other accessible channels
- Inviting families to contribute to the classroom and curriculum
Integrating parents’ feedback into the classroom can be a significant way of fostering good parent-teacher partnerships in preschool.
2. Be responsive
Parents want to know that their child’s teacher cares about their unique needs and has the tools to meet them. Educators must be responsive to parents’ feedback and let parents know how they plan to meet the child’s needs in the classroom.
Educators can reassure parents by giving detailed information about their strategies, offering real-time information through pictures and texts, and connecting with families outside school hours.
3. Build a relationship
Real, meaningful relationships are essential to building beneficial parent-teacher partnerships. Simple things, such as having regular conversations with parents at drop-off and pick-up, maintaining open communication, and inviting family members to contribute to the classroom, can help build great relationships that benefit children in preschool.
Parent-teacher partnerships grow from good relationships, trust, and respect. Educators should take steps to foster partnerships with their students’ parents and caregivers whenever possible.
How Parents Can Engage in Parent-Teacher Partnerships
Parents are the most important person in a child’s life, and their input can help shape their child’s preschool experiences for the better. Here are some ways parents can support a partnership with their child’s preschool teachers.
1. Get involved
Spend time in your child’s school by attending open houses, volunteering to help in the classroom, chaperoning field trips, and other ways throughout the year. This will give you time to develop a good relationship with your child’s educators and observe what is happening at school.
2. Share your expertise
Parents know their children’s likes, dislikes, and comfort strategies better than anyone else. Sharing your knowledge can help your child’s teachers comfort, engage, and nurture your child while in their care. This can help your child feel more comfortable at school, especially during transitions.
3. Communicate
Keep the lines of communication with your child’s teacher open. Ask staff members how they prefer to communicate with families and stick to it. Spend time talking with your child’s teacher at drop-off or pick-up whenever possible. Attend scheduled conferences and check in regularly via text, email, or phone as needed.
Developing an excellent parent-teacher partnership can help you and your child have the best preschool experiences and allow them to thrive in their early education.
Find a Preschool
At New Horizons Learning Center, we believe parent-teacher partnerships are the core of a good preschool program. Our caring educators work to foster good relationships with parents and caregivers so that our students can get everything they need to succeed in preschool and beyond.
Reach out to learn more about our preschool programs in Port Richey or schedule a site visit. We would love to welcome your child into our school and look forward to meeting you.
