For a child, home is the first school. The home and most importantly the parents are vital in the development and growth of each child. Teaching is best done by parents. They can provide that strength and confidence to their children. So it would be great if both institutions, school and home work in unison for the betterment of children.
Schools must learn to tap resources right next to them. Talking about a good relationship between parents of children studying and their schools/teachers, it is worth noting that most schools in India, work quite hard to keep them away. They take it as an interference in their working style. Schools might need to take a re-look at this issue. Attending/conducting parent teacher meetings which most of the times leaves parents dissatisfied due to less time alloted to each, is not enough. Parents of today are interested and would like to involve themselves more if given an opportunity. It is seen that those parents who take extra time out for their children and their studies, are rewarded with better results. Parents who help their ward in doing home work, in getting them involved in extra curricular activities, sports etc see a good development in the child. It is the duty if a parent to introduce their child to the teacher in the beginning of the academic year, and keep a regular check on the performance of the child.
Schools may do well to tap the talents of parents. Many parents/ mothers who are not working in offices and have the time to spare, can get involved into helping out with some or the other happenings of the school. Some may actually start to enjoy it. Schools should try and explore such talented parents. Parents could volunteer to help.
The environment of the school should be friendly for the family, it could help in better cooperation of parents. Both sides need to be respected. Schools could devote more time to parents, and parents must not feel that once the child gets admission in the school, they are done with their responsibility, it rests solely with the school. A mutual understanding, a good rapport between the two enhances a sense of community and commitment.
Needless to say that maximum communication from school to home is in the early childhood period. It starts to get a little less as the child is in the middle school. A healthy school-parent relationship goes a long way in a positive development of the child.
