There are several strategies teachers can use to establish a climate conducive to open communication. In addition to personal interaction, teachers can use newsletters or can send letters home to provide this information to parents. Elicit expressions of parents' concerns and interests in preparation for parent-teacher conferences. Early in the school year, ask parents to share their main concerns and goals for their child. Brief questionnaires and interest surveys also provide good bases for meaningful discussions in parent-teacher conferences.
Teachers can invite parents to visit the classroom at any time that is convenient to the parents.
When they visit, parents can monitor their child's perceptions of a situation and can see for themselves what the teacher is trying to achieve with his or her students. Involve parents in classroom activities. Teachers can let parents know how they can be helpful and can solicit their assistance with specific activities. The more involved parents are in what goes on in the classroom, the more likely they are to understand the teacher's goals and practices. Parents also have an important role to play in fostering open communication.