Families shouldn't only hear from teachers when something has gone wrong. Regularly sharing positive moments helps build trust and makes it easier to have challenging conversations when they are needed.
Instead of saying, “She had a good day,” try something specific: “She helped a friend clean up today and was so proud of herself.” Specific observations give families something meaningful to talk about and show that you are paying attention to their child's strengths.
When discussing concerns, describe what you observed without labeling the child. Explain what you have tried, ask what the family sees at home, and work together on possible next steps.
A simple goal:
For every concern you share, make sure families also know what their child is doing well.