Communicating with Families

Page 9

A major obstacle in program planning can be effective communication with families about different elements at your center. Whether you are implementing a “no nuts” policy for snack or are going on a field trip to the beach there are communication barriers that are important to be aware of so that everyone has their needs met. Families need to know what is happening, when it is happening, and why it is happening. Teachers need to have support from families whether that is tangible items, behavioral support, or confidence in their abilities. Children need to be in a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive. These basic guidelines should frame your communication with families about everything.

When you include materials or activities that may cover controversial topics it is critical to communicate this with families in an informational and precise method. Keep in mind that some families may have emotional reactions to certain concepts and that this is perfectly fine. This doesn’t mean that if a parent becomes emotional about a book, that is included in your classroom library, you immediately take it out of rotation. Instead it is important to listen to the parent’s concerns and objectively decide how to best handle the situation. It is also advisable to involve your director in this discussion and gain their perspective. Overall, use your best judgement and consider the greater good.  

Optional Resource for Further Study

• Communicating with Parents: Strategies for Teachers by Susan Graham-Clay
• Communicating with Parents During Sensitive or Difficult Situations, Illinois Early Learning
• Better Parent Communication: What Do I Say When a Parent Tells Me Something Difficult? By the Family Connections Project
• An Educator's Survival Guide for Dealing with Difficult Parents By Megan Ruesink

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Pre-Assessment (1/6)​
3. Never too Early to Read
4. Family Literature
5. Early Literacy and Families 

6. Monday is One Day
7. Discussion: Sharing Books (2/6)
8. Valuing Diverse Families
9. Communicating with Families
10. Choosing Literature
11. Beyond Literature

12. My Family Tree (3/6)​
13. Family Mobiles (4/6)​​
14. The Name Quilt (5/6)​​
15. End of Course Quiz (6/6)
16. Course Evaluation Form​
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