As parents and educators we understand the importance of fostering student wellbeing that extends beyond the classroom. It's about creating a supportive environment that continues at home, ensuring students thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. By strengthening the connection between school and home, we can create a supportive environment that promotes holistic student growth.
Bridging the gap: Enhancing parent-child conversations about school
As educators, we often observe that after school, many parents ask their children, "How was school today?" and receive the standard response, "Good." This brief exchange can make it challenging for parents to engage in meaningful conversations about their child's day.
To facilitate deeper discussions, it's beneficial for educators to provide parents with specific information about their child's activities and achievements at school. For instance, instead of the generic "How was school?", parents can ask, "I noticed you received a certificate for your excellent effort in science today; what was the experiment about?" or "I saw you helped a classmate with their project; how did that go?" These targeted questions encourage children to share more about their experiences, fostering a deeper connection between parents and children.
By equipping parents with specific insights into their child's school day, educators can help bridge the gap between school and home, promoting continuous support for the child's emotional and social development.
7 Practical tips for teachers and parents
- Share specific achievements: Inform parents about their child's specific accomplishments, such as participating in a class discussion or completing a challenging task. This allows parents to acknowledge and celebrate their child's efforts at home.
- Encourage reflective conversations: Guide parents to ask open-ended questions like, "What was the most interesting part of your day?" or "Can you tell me about a time you helped someone today?" This promotes deeper conversations and reflection.
- Provide resources for emotional support: Share resources with parents that offer strategies for supporting their child's emotional development, such as mindfulness exercises or coping techniques.
- Establish regular check-ins: Encourage parents to set aside time each day or week to discuss their child's experiences and feelings, fostering a routine of open communication.
- Model positive communication: Demonstrate effective communication strategies by actively listening and responding empathetically to students and parents, setting an example for healthy interactions.
- Create a collaborative environment: Foster a partnership between school and home by involving parents in school activities and decision-making processes, ensuring they feel valued and included.
- Utilise technology for updates: Implement platforms that allow parents to receive real-time updates on their child's progress and school activities, keeping them informed and engaged.
Leveraging technology for enhanced communication
Utilising technology can further enhance communication between school and home. Platforms that provide real-time updates on a child's progress, share classroom activities, and offer a space for parents to ask questions can be particularly useful. These tools ensure that parents are informed and involved, even if they cannot attend in-person meetings.
Supporting parents in their role
Educators can also support parents by providing resources and strategies to help them engage with their child's learning and wellbeing at home. This might include sharing tips on creating a positive home learning environment, suggesting activities that reinforce classroom learning, or offering guidance on addressing behavioural or emotional concerns. By empowering parents with the tools they need, educators can help them play an active role in their child's development.
Conclusion
Extending student wellbeing beyond the classroom involves creating a strong partnership between educators and parents. By facilitating open communication and providing support, we can ensure that students receive consistent encouragement and guidance both at school and at home. This collaborative approach fosters an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
For more insights on how technology can support student wellbeing, read our previous blog post: Transform your school's wellbeing strategy: Discover how Sentral's new feature saves teachers hours each week.
