1.11 Use a variety of methods to communicate with families (home visits, phone calls, notes home, newsletter, school websites, email, classroom visits…)
Watch: "Communication with Families"
- A daily reminder can be used with parents to help establish ideas and opportunities for everyday literacy learning.
Use: "The CELL Daily Reminder List"
- Share your behavior expectations continually with families and provide ideas and materials for them to use at home.
Use: "Sample Home activity"
- Send home photo copies of the child’s work, such as drawing or writing examples. Attach a note that provides ways in which the parents may support these activities with the child at home. Share these items throughout the year on a weekly or monthly basis.
- Provide a notebook for each child that is sent home to parents at the end of each week. Teachers can write down a summary of the week and the parent can read and add comments of their own before returning the notebook to the teacher.
- Once a week email a photo(s) of the child engaged in a favorite activity. Include a brief description of what the child is learning during this activity and how the parent can support this at home.
- Create opportunities for parents to participate in classroom activities. Provide a sign-up sheet for parents to visit the classroom during: lunch, story-time, small group and special activities such as cooking and gardening.