Parent-Teacher Relationships: Why They Matter and How to Build Them

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. 

The Benefits of Strong Parent-Teacher Relationships

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. 

Tips for Building a Strong Parent-Teacher Relationship

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. 

• Communicate regularly. It’s important for teachers to communicate with parents (and vice versa) on a consistent basis. If you can’t speak face-to-face every day, many care providers offer other communication channels for updates on your child’s progress. Email or phone are great options, and some providers offer school-specific in-app communication. For instance, with Wonderschool’s iPhone and Android app, you get photo sharing and activity updates alongside attendance tracking and reporting. 
• Be positive. Parent-teacher collaborations are all about teamwork toward the same goal — helping your child succeed. Take a tactful approach and show your child’s teacher that you want to support them in helping your child flourish.
• Be respectful and willing to listen. You are your child’s greatest advocate, and if you have concerns about their child care, it’s perfectly understandable that you’d want to express them. Just be sure to approach any questions with a solution-based mindset and respect all teachers’ time and knowledge. Your child’s teachers have valuable expertise in early childhood education and can work with you to adapt to your child’s strengths. 
• Spend time in and around the classroom. Face-to-face communication can be especially effective and show your child’s teacher that you’re present and involved. This can be as simple as quick check-ins at drop-off and pick-up, or it can involve a greater commitment such as volunteering in the classroom. Any in-person time with your child’s teacher, including at events the daycare hosts, helps you continually build a strong relationship. 

How To Foster Effective Communication With Your Child's Teacher

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.

Ways To Get Involved in Your Child's Education

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. 

Strong Parent-Teacher Relationships Help Kids Reach Their Potential

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. 

‍