Clio has taught education courses at the college level and has a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.
As teachers, we are often encouraged to communicate openly with families. Yet sometimes it is tricky to know exactly how this communication can look. One of the best things that can come of communication with parents is that parents can teach us more about their children, their own hopes and dreams for their children, and the daily rhythm of their family lives. When we know about children outside of school, we are better prepared to meet their needs as learners and capitalize on their unique strengths and interests. When we understand what a family wants for their child, we can consider things about our curriculum that might help lead in this direction. Asking parents questions is also a great way to show them how much we care, and to demonstrate that education truly is a partnership among schools, children and families.
Sometimes, we see parents in large groups settings such as open houses, curriculum nights, or other large meetings. These contexts are not ideal for asking parents questions personal to their children, but they can be great settings for starting conversations about a community's hopes and wishes for their children's education. Asking questions of parents in a whole group can also be a good way to facilitate conversations among different families about what is going on with their children. Here are some great questions to ask parents in large group settings:
Some of the best communication we can do with families happens during one-on-one or one-on-two meetings, in parent teacher conferences for example. These are some of the best questions you can ask families during these times.
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