Resources
This is a template I created a year ago that is still being used by the school today!
How do you update parents on their child's progress?
The purpose of the Monthly Update is to communicate with parents and share with them ways to help their child achieve their milestones. We have a lot to plan and do every day, I knew you'd say that, but consider how you can do this simply. While you use this to establish trust with your parents, you can also include a few other objectives. If you'd like me to send you a template, I'd be delighted!
So the question is, how do you want to go about it? I've attached a picture of it. Basically, it requires information about the child—the child's name, class, and, most importantly, a date. Then 3-4 photos of the child. But, with so many photos of that child, how will you choose? First and foremost, you must demonstrate the child's interest for the month, which can be books, cars, balls, or anything else the child enjoys doing in class.Second, you must inform parents about their child's accomplishments, such as self-help tasks, language improvement, or social skills. Third, you can discuss how the child demonstrates your center's core values, such as being able to work with others/teamwork, social skills, or anything that you think is worthy to share.
So, simply begin with the child's interest, then move on to self-help skills, and finally, refer to your school's vision or mission, share it with parents, and discuss how the child learned and applied it. You might want to write something about the child or scaffolding strategies you want the parents to try at home at the bottom, as that is one of your goals, right? Don't forget to include their child's photos!
Have a shared responsibility with your parents. You can also share class resources or upcoming events, among other things. Finally, thank you for your continued support and contacts, including your Principal, Vice Principal, and class teachers' emails. As a parent, I need to know whom I can speak to whenever I have concerns and feedback. I have a sample below.
Try it, and I guarantee a you a good start to parent-teacher partnership!
Home-Learning Kit
In this part, I’m going to show you what a home-learning kit is. For many, it's something that a child can bring home over the weekend. It’s like homework but not only for the child, this one involves family.
The good thing with this is that you can track the child’s progress together with the parents. And, you can strengthen the partnership and help the child to achieve academic goals with parental involvement. The downfall of this is it will have to be the same activity for all children and family might feel that it's rushed. Also, due to some prior commitments, parents might not have enough time to do it with their children. Thus, this initiative will need your commitment and proper planning- the date to be given to the child and when it should be returned. Give each child at least two weeks to complete it. You also have to encourage parents to do it in a few ways like explaining to them what is it for, how it helps their child, or anything relevant. You cannot expect parents to do it if they do not understand what is it for.
Okay, let me explain how it works.
First, you have to plan activity for every domain or subjects, something that all children can do or is appropriate to the age group.
Second, a task card is needed. Make sure to give instructions to parents, make it clear and brief. You can put up to three steps/instructions, make that a standard for all.
Third, provide the materials needed and ensure that parents will return it back.
Fourth, provide a home-talk activity task so the child will be prepared to do show&tell in front of her friends.
Lastly, you need a kit- bag, Ziploc, or small handy basket. Do not let the child bring the items with the possibility of getting them lost.
So how do you ensure every child gets the chance to do and bring it home?
You can make a list of your children and make a group of five- a month has five weeks mostly, right?
Next, you might want to make differentiated activities, instead of giving the same activities to all. For those children with higher readiness, give them a bit of extra task or make the activity a bit more complex.
Then, you might want to include a tiny paper to get feedback from parents. I do not like it but if you want to hear any suggestions, insert that paper and make it so visible for me saying “We need your feedback BADLY”
Again, these might not work for you but you can surely ask your Principal what will work best in your centre.
Do have a great time at work and enjoy the experience with the children!
