Communication between families and schools has always been an important bridge for the development of children and adolescents, and with the events of the past two years—during the pandemic—the importance of this relationship has become even more evident.

Social distancing allowed many parents to closely monitor their children’s school life. Some took on the role of teacher when there were no online classes, while others helped with their children’s studies and adjustment to remote learning. On the other hand, educators also had to develop strategies to adapt to the digital environment in accordance with their students’ circumstances and realities, so that everyone could have access to classes.

According to a 2009 study conducted by UNESCO, when teachers gain a clearer understanding of their students’ reality, their interpretation of classroom behavior changes—that is, they set aside the expectation of an “ideal student” to embrace the real student. And this focus should continue to this day.

Understand the importance of the triad: family, school, and student

To understand the true significance of the impact that the relationship and communication between family and school have on a young person’s life, imagine the following situations (based on real accounts from the UNESCO study):

• IF YOU ARE AN EDUCATOR

The school is organizing a Cultural Evening, and students’ participation in this event will be graded. One of your classes has been assigned to put on a dance performance, but not all students are engaged in the activity. So, as a teacher, to motivate them, you explain the benefits of dance and how their participation will contribute to their semester grade; yet even so, some students respond with suspicious and uncertain looks.

When talking with the families, you discover that the religious teachings followed by the mothers, fathers, and the young people themselves held that dancing was a sinful act. In other words, insisting on the activity could create a moral conflict for the students.

• IF YOU'RE A FATHER OR A MOTHER

Your son is a teenager who has just started high school. Ever since he was a child, he has always been a talkative young man, especially with his parents. However, after a few days of school, you notice that your son has been quieter and less willing to talk. Even when you ask him specific questions, he responds with gestures or just a few words.

When she spoke with the school about her son’s behavior, she discovered that he actually felt insecure about his speech because of a series of jokes from other students about his lisp. Both the teachers and the family began working on skills such as self-esteem, resilience, and self-confidence, as well as anti-bullying measures.

A close relationship between family and school is essential to students’ well-being. After all, both play a role in children’s education, development, and preparation for life. Not everything that happens at school is brought home by the student. Just as not everything that happens at home is shared with the teacher by the student.

Communication and understanding of the realities faced by children and adolescents in the classroom and at home can lead to significant and productive changes in the instructional planning of educators and administrators, as well as in the “family-teacher-student” relationship.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that children do not have sufficient skills to make effective decisions; they need the support of the adults in their lives. When there is alignment between family and school, it is also possible to coordinate strategies, interventions, and actions that support the development of social-emotional skills. A healthy and active partnership between both parties serves as a protective factor for child development.

How can we strengthen the bond between families and schools?

Active family involvement in a student’s school life is essential for the development of social-emotional skills. Recognizing the importance of communication and partnership between families and schools, Educa by Rossandro Klinjey offers classes led by experts and provides materials to train parents and educators who are seeking effective approaches to promote the well-being of children and adolescents, preparing them for life.

The School of Parenting and Educator Training—exclusively for parents, guardians, and educators from Educa’s partner schools, founded by Rossandro Klinjey—now has its schedule open for October and November. Check out the schedule:

OCTOBER

Date: October 19 at 8:00 p.m. - Online Class via YouTube

Topic: Straight Talk: What Is Sexuality?

How to deal with the challenges of discussing such a complex topic at home in the age of digital influencers.

NOVEMBER

Date: November 23 at 8:00 p.m. - Online Class via Zoom

Topic: Addictions and Other Challenges in School and at Home: Self-harm, e-cigarettes, and other addictions that affect students and parents.