Why is it important to build strong relationships with families through communication? In previous blog posts, we talked about the importance of building relationships with families and how it helps everyone feel like they are on the same team to support our students. When we communicate with families in a respectful, positive, and frequent way, they feel included and valued—strengthening the partnership between home and school.
Building Relationships with Communication
As discussed in previous posts, communication is key to ensuring families feel informed and connected to their child’s school experience. For some students, especially those with communication challenges, it can be difficult to share details about their day or what they are learning. If parents don’t receive updates from school, they may feel disconnected or uncertain about how their child is progressing.
One of the best ways to build trust and collaboration is to communicate early and often. Below are five strategies to help strengthen the relationship between school and home through effective communication.
How Do We Use Communication to Build Relationships?
1. Send a Back-to-School Survey
Starting the year with a survey lets parents and caregivers know that you value their insights and want to get to know their child beyond the classroom. This is especially important when students and their families are new to you. It helps you understand their child’s strengths, interests, and any important considerations—while giving families a chance to share what matters most to them.
Your survey can be as brief or in-depth as you’d like. For new families, you might ask about their child’s interests, preferred learning styles, any challenges, allergies, or social needs. For returning families, a simple check-in about any updates or changes since last year can be helpful. Families are usually eager to share information that will support their child’s success, and this small step can go a long way in making them feel like valued members of the school community.
2. Individual vs. Classwide Communication
Balancing individual and group communication is essential in an inclusive classroom. Connecting with parents on a personal level—through positive emails, phone calls, or quick check-ins during drop-off and pickup—builds trust and strengthens relationships.
At the same time, classwide communication keeps families informed about what’s happening in the classroom. A weekly newsletter, for example, can provide updates on what students are learning, what books they are reading, upcoming projects, and classroom themes. By proactively sharing this information, you can reduce the number of individual inquiries from parents while ensuring that all families feel engaged and informed.
3. Be Mindful of Tone
Tone is a critical aspect of communication, especially when using email or written messages. Without vocal inflection or body language, messages can sometimes be misinterpreted. Maintaining a respectful, positive tone—even when discussing challenges—helps to keep communication productive and supportive.
If a student has had a tough day, frame the conversation with solutions and encouragement. For example, instead of saying, “Your child was disruptive during class,” you might say, “Your child had some difficulty staying focused today, but we’re working on strategies to help. I’d love to hear what works well for them at home!”
This approach reassures parents that you are invested in their child’s growth and helps build a partnership rather than a divide.
4. Share Photos of Learning in Action
Photos are one of the most powerful ways to keep families connected to the classroom. Many students, even those who are highly verbal, respond to “How was school today?” with a simple “fine” or “I don’t remember.” Imagine how much harder it can be for students with communication difficulties to share their experiences.
Sending home photos of students engaged in activities helps bridge this gap. When parents see their child participating, smiling, and learning, it reassures them that their child is in a supportive environment. This could be done through a weekly newsletter, an app like Seesaw, or occasional photo updates via email. Even sending one or two pictures a week can make a big difference in strengthening the home-school connection.
5. Invite Family Involvement
Family involvement doesn’t always have to mean in-person volunteering. While some parents love coming into the classroom, others may not have the time or flexibility to do so. Providing different opportunities for involvement ensures that all families can engage in ways that work for them.
A simple idea is to ask parents to send an email on Mondays with a few pictures or notes about their child’s weekend activities. This gives students something personal to share during class discussions and provides a great opportunity for connection. You could also send home conversation starters, asking families to talk with their child about a certain topic and report back.
When parents feel included—whether through small contributions or active participation—they develop a stronger sense of partnership with the classroom community.
Building relationships with families takes time and effort, but the payoff is immense. A strong home-school connection leads to greater student success, a more inclusive learning environment, and a supportive network that benefits everyone.
Stay tuned for more strategies on strengthening family partnerships in inclusive education!
Want to learn more? Check out these resources:
⭐️ 9 Ways to Improve Parent-Teacher Communication
⭐️ Teacher-Parent Communication Strategies to Start the Year Off Right
How do you prefer to communicate with families? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on Instagram @practicalinclusionsolutions!