Children grow up and thrive being positive individuals if they have a loving bond with their families. They feel supported and secured at home and at school. The child should feel accepted, safe and valued at schools for which there should be a strong family-school relationship.
BENEFITS OF FAMILY-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP FOR YOUR CHILD:
The family-school relationship is essential in order to build an amazing foundation for your child. The children benefit from the family-school relationship as it enhances their academic achievement and builds their character. Other advantages for children include improved behaviour, increased motivation to learn new stuff, regular attendance along with positive attitude at school and at home. It improves the relationship and social skills of your child. Your child benefits the most if you have a good relationship with his or her teachers from the beginning.
KEY FEATURES OF A HEALTHY FAMILY-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP:
The seven dimensions for a strong family-school relationship include:
1. Strong communication
2. Connecting learning ideas at home and school
3. Build identity and community
4. Recognizing the role of family and school
5. The collaboration of the school and families
6. Consultative decision-taking of the families and schools
7. Participation
HOW CAN YOU BUILD A STRONG FAMILY-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP?
There are several ways to achieve a strong bond:
• Get involved in the school communities.
• Keep a regular check on the noticeboard, school websites or apps and emails regularly.
• Try communicating with your child’s teachers in an informal way when you go pick up and drop off your child at school. You can also establish contact with your kid’s teachers through a phone call or email if they find it appropriate.
• Attend all parent-teacher meetings and interviews.
Everyday contact with the school personnel, allows you to stay in touch with school performances, annual report or social events at the school. If the school holds seminars for parents, try attending those to have a better understanding of your child’s behaviour, mental health and everything about their development. Talk to your child about the school activities on a daily basis to understand his day in school and instill his interest in sharing the day with you!
HOW CAN YOU INVOLVE YOURSELF WHEN YOUR CHILD IS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL?
Primary schools offer various opportunities where you can participate and get involved with your child and his teachers:
• Volunteer for classroom activities like working in school canteens, reading in groups and others.
• Attend committees or parent groups such as school councils and others.
• Work for events and school fundraisers such as school fairs.
• Get involved in social activities along with other children’s parents and teachers.
• Attend school events like Book week, concerts or assemblies.
VERDICT:
It is very important that you have a thorough knowledge and interaction with your child’s teachers. You should communicate with the staff teachers, counsellors, communicate with other parents and principal. Interaction with the teachers allows you to track the progress of your child in terms of behaviour, attendance as well as academic progress.