When students struggle with positive behavior, it often signals an unmet need or a challenge they are facing. While addressing behavior in the classroom is crucial, developing strong family partnerships creates a more holistic and effective approach. Building strong relationships with families not only supports the child but also builds trust and collaboration. Here are three ways to strengthen these connections when a child is experiencing behavior challenges.
1. Initiate Proactive Communication
When behavior challenges arise, families often hear about the problem long before they hear about the progress. This is so hard for educators when you have 25+ kids in your class, not to mention all of the obligations that come with teaching. Shift this narrative by opening lines of communication early and framing it positively. Here’s an example of how.
- Start with Strengths: Begin conversations by highlighting the child’s strengths. For example, “I want to share how creative and curious Alex is during our science lessons.”
- Be Transparent: Share observations about the behavior in a non-judgmental way. Stick to facts and avoid labels. For instance, “I noticed that Alex has been having difficulty staying focused during group activities.”
- Invite Input: Ask families for their insights. “Have you noticed similar behaviors at home? Are there strategies that work well for Alex?”
This approach shows that you value family partnerships and their expertise on their child. This simple language shows that you’re committed to working together for their child’s success.
2. Create Collaborative Plans
Partnering with families to develop strategies empowers them to be part of the solution. Collaborative plans can provide consistency between school and home, creating a united front to support the child. Here’s what this might look like:
- Share Strategies: Explain the approaches you are using in the classroom and how they support the child. For example, “We’ve introduced a visual schedule to help Alex anticipate transitions. I’m sending home a copy in his folder.”
- Set Goals Together: Work with families to create small, achievable goals. “Let’s focus on helping Alex follow the morning routine more independently.”
- Provide Resources: Share tools such as behavior charts, social scripts, or coping strategies that can be used at home.
When families feel equipped and included, they’re more likely to engage in meaningful ways to support their child’s growth.
3. Celebrate Progress—Together!
Behavioral change takes time, which is part of what makes it so tricky. Celebrating small wins can reinforce positive patterns and strengthen family partnerships. Here’s a few ideas on how to celebrate well.
- Highlight Improvements: Regularly update families on progress, no matter how small. “Alex did a fantastic job raising his hand during today’s discussion!”
- Involve the Student: Encourage students to share their successes with their families. This could be through a note, a drawing, or even a quick video message.
- Recognize Family Efforts: Acknowledge the role families play in supporting their child. “Your consistency at home is making such a difference. Thank you for being a partner in this.”
Celebrating together strengthens trust and reminds families that progress, no matter how incremental, is worth acknowledging.
Bonus tip – Provide Additional Supports
I’ve met some families that REALLY rely on tangible tips and resources like book lists to help guide them. Using resources like these parent education letters can be so powerful. Simple ideas, explanations, and meaningful picture books to read to kids really helps offer families actionable steps that they can take on their own time.
Family Partnerships Matter
Building relationships with student families even through the challenging times requires empathy, transparency, and collaboration. By initiating proactive communication, creating collaborative plans, and celebrating progress, we can build a supportive partnership that benefits the student, the family, and your classroom. When families feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to engage, and that’s when real growth happens.
