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Teachers and families working together

4. How do I work with parents who seem anxious?

Parents can become anxious when they don’t know what is going on for their child at school. Most children with a disability cannot effectively communicate what they did at school or how they felt. Parent anxiety can often be reduced through regular communication and reassurance from the teacher.

Changes at school can also cause anxiety. This can be reduced by allowing extra time for communication whenever there is major change, for example at the beginning of the school year or when there are staff changes.

It’s important to inform parents of any incidents that occur at school, such as bullying and issues with personal care or safety, and how these incidents were managed. It’s better to inform parents of relatively minor issues straightaway rather waiting to see if they escalate. Parents also like to hear about their child’s progress and achievements.

Developing a positive partnership means that both teachers and parents can feel comfortable approaching each other if issues arise. Proactive education planning and communication with the family can reassure parents that their child is safe and well cared for, and that their child is learning. This will help to develop mutual trust and confidence.

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