Parents are a child’s first teachers, and their influence can last a lifetime. That is why teachers get better results with student behavior when they work with parents, not around them. This guide sets out practical strategies teachers and school staff can use to involve parents and improve how students behave in class and at school.
On this page 10 sections
Why parent involvement matters
Research links parent involvement to good outcomes for students, including:
- higher academic achievement
- stronger social skills
- better behavior
These findings come from studies by Epstein (2001) and Henderson and Mapp (2002). A review by Fan and Chen (2001) also found parent involvement to be a significant predictor of student behavior. When teachers and parents work together, they support both the learner’s academic progress and social development.
1. Build positive relationships with parents
Good working relationships come first. Parents respond better to teachers who are:
- Approachable, so parents feel free to raise concerns
- Respectful of the family and its situation
- Empathetic, able to see things from the parent’s side
Keep in touch regularly, both formally and informally, so parents know how their child is doing and hear about concerns early. Steady channels such as parent-teacher conferences and newsletters help build trust and make it easier to work together.
2. Understand and respect cultural differences
Families come from many backgrounds, and teachers should be aware of and respect those differences. Culturally responsive teaching means recognizing cultural differences and building them into how you teach (Gay, 2000). This approach helps build trust and understanding between teachers and parents from different backgrounds.
3. Set clear expectations
Students behave better when they know exactly what is expected, and parents can only support those expectations if they know them too.
- Set consistent routines and behavior expectations in the classroom and across the school.
- Explain these expectations clearly to parents.
- Tell parents and students what happens when expectations are not met, including discipline policies and interventions.
When everyone understands both the expectations and the consequences, there are fewer surprises and less conflict.
4. Involve parents in behavior interventions
When a student shows challenging behavior, bring the parents into the process early.
- Work with the parents to develop a behavior plan.
- Explain the strategies the plan uses, so parents can use the same approach at home.
- Update parents regularly on their child’s progress.
Parents who understand the plan can reinforce it at home, which helps the child improve faster.
5. Provide support for parents
Many parents want to help but are not sure how. Schools can support them by:
- offering workshops or training sessions on behavior management strategies
- giving access to community resources
- connecting parents with other families or support groups
Benefits beyond behavior
Working with parents does more than improve behavior. Positive relationships between teachers and families help schools build a sense of community that supports learning and achievement. When parents feel involved in their child’s education, they also feel more ownership of the school and community, which can lead to more participation in and support for school initiatives.
What we still need to learn
Research shows that parent involvement matters, but there is still much to learn about the best ways to involve parents. Future research should look at:
- effective strategies for involving parents from diverse backgrounds
- interventions tailored to the needs of each family
Efforts to increase parent involvement also work best when policies and practices support teachers in this work, such as professional development and the allocation of resources.
Summary
Working with parents is essential for positive student behavior and a positive learning environment. To work well with parents:
- build positive relationships
- understand cultural differences
- set clear expectations
- involve parents in behavior interventions
- provide support for parents
Through this partnership, teachers and parents can create a learning environment that encourages good behavior and academic success.
Frequently asked questions
Why should teachers involve parents in managing student behavior?
Research links parent involvement to better academic achievement, social skills, and behavior, and one review found it to be a significant predictor of student behavior. Parents who know what the school expects can reinforce it at home.
What are good ways to communicate with parents?
Keep in touch regularly, both formally and informally. Parent-teacher conferences and newsletters are two channels that help build trust and collaboration.
How can parents help when a child has challenging behavior?
Teachers can work with parents to develop a behavior plan, explain the strategies it uses, and update them on progress. Parents can then use the same strategies at home.
What support can schools give parents?
Schools can offer workshops or training on behavior management, give access to community resources, and connect parents with other families or support groups.
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