Building positive relationships and connecting regularly with families is the foundation of all family engagement efforts. Without these positive relationships, teachers and parents may struggle to partner together successfully to support children’s learning. Despite this, most teachers are not formally trained in techniques to build relationships with parents, especially families who come from different cultural backgrounds. These skills may come naturally to some teachers, and they may require more training and practice for others. Nonetheless, exposure to tips and information in this area can help all teachers shift from working for families to working with families.
Teacher Toolkit:
Tips for Building Relationships: English | Spanish
This is a quick reference guide for strategies that build positive working relationships with families. These strategies are discussed in more depth in the Partnering with Families and Promoting Positive Communication professional learning session.
Related Professional Development:
Professional Learning Session: Partnering with Families and Promoting Positive Communication