Working with parents at school often causes difficulty for young teachers who first received classroom instruction. Yes, and experienced teachers are sometimes limited only to individual conversations on children's performance and general meetings, where they mainly deal with organizational issues. At the same time, close interaction between school and family can give much more results in the upbringing and education of children.
We can say that the teacher is partly a practical psychologist. In order to work effectively with students, he needs to know and take into account not only their individual characteristics, but also what their close environment is like. The responsibilities of the class teacher include studying everything that relates to the student, because this can bring real results in education.
Work with parents includes, first of all, familiarization with the composition of the family, living conditions, and relations between its members. This is important in order to suggest what exactly affects the formation of certain personal qualities in a child. In most cases, parents are willing to contact teachers and a school psychologist, especially if they understand that this moment can positively affect the child’s stay in the educational institution and his upbringing. Taking into account individual characteristics in the educational process is a serious enough point that teachers should not forget about.
An equally important task that the class teacher works with his parents is to educate adults in pedagogy and the psychology of children. Of course, many adults with the appearance of a child in the family begin to read special literature and are guided by the educational recommendations that are given in it. However, when a person with a pedagogical education and work experience, even a small one, in this area gives certain advice and guides the parents in the right direction, this brings much more practical results.
Forms of education may vary. Basically, these are, of course, parent meetings. However, you should not always carry them out in a "classic" form. It is proved that a greater effect can be achieved when working with parents involves non-standard techniques and methods. So, some teachers practice holding meetings in the form of seminars, trainings, workshops, idea auctions, etc. An invitation to the school psychologist will be a plus in this case, who will be able to introduce parents to the characteristics of their children that are specific to a certain age and respond to their questions about family education. The teacher can cover a wide variety of topics at such events, from theoretical issues to conversations with adults regarding interpersonal relationships in the classroom.
Currently, work with parents includes their active involvement in the management of school activities. So, in educational institutions trusteeship councils are created, which also include representatives of the administration and high school students. The functions of this group are to resolve financial and organizational issues.
The most active parents can be included not only in the classroom, but also in the school-wide parental committee. It is they who can become a reliable support for the class teacher: they will help in organizing holidays, excursions and other events.
The work of a psychologist with parents is quite important. It can be carried out in various forms: from individual consultations and diagnostics to group trainings. If a student has problems with learning or behavior at school, the class teacher usually recommends that parents talk with a psychologist who can provide the necessary assistance or carry out corrective work in the right direction.