Involving and communicating with parents are an important part of your ministry. Communication is also the biggest hurdle we face in the church.  Here are 10 suggestions to remember when communicating with parents.

COMMUNICATING POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Provide policies
Know what is expected – be on time, pick up, don’t abdicate their parental duty, don’t let them call you mom
Parent volunteer throughout the year

COMMUNICATING AT THE DOOR OF THE ROOM

Let parents be parents
Face to Face – parent and teacher
Door closed! – So children can’t just walk out
Don’t teach alone! Safety of kids and teachers
Separation Anxiety – Parents need to see welcome.
Toys from home in a basket

COMMUNICATING WITH NOTES AND LETTERS

Inform parents – “What they are up on, they won’t be down on.”
Do you like knowing the night before?
Wristband notes

COMMUNICATING WITH PHONE CALLS AND TEXTS

Send encouragement
Text photos and phrases
Some directors don’t allow phones because of teacher abuse from texting and calling when they should be teaching

COMMUNICATING ABOUT THEIR CHILD’S SPECIAL DAY

Birthdays
New baby sibling

COMMUNICATING WITH PROGRAMS

Programs in your room
Programs in your church

COMMUNICATING AT PARENT MEETINGS

Parent/Teacher meetings
Pediatrician – Question & Answer meetings
Involve people - Committees (If not, they will gripe)
Set a time schedule and time limit

COMMUNICATING REGARDING DIFFICULTIES

It will happen! Bumps and Bites.
Begin and end with something good
Discuss difficulties face to face
Make parent right about what she is right about
Share an idea/ solution to help.

COMMUNICATING IN HOME VISITS
COMMUNICATING ABOUT THE CHURCH

Involve Adult Sunday School leadership

 

One of the best ways to help a child is to help his home.  Communicate with parents.  What other suggestion would you add to this list?

Unwrapped Conference August 5- www.mrmarksclassroom.com/unwrapped

Kid’s Min 411 (Free Conference) April 11- www.mrmarksclassroom.com/411