Chapter 5pp

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What do you think children gain when their teachers create partnerships with their parents?

What do you think parents gain when they work closely with their children’s teachers?

How do you think teachers benefit when they create partnerships with families?

What are some of the reasons that forming effective partnerships can be difficult, for both teachers and parents?


Security and decreased anxiety in school environment and improved academic performance

Sense of self-worth when they perceive that others value and respect their parents

Knowledgeable and consistent responses from all adults in their lives


Feelings of support for parenting Knowledge and skills to support parenting

and support their children’s education Enhanced parental self-esteem when

invited to participate and make a contribution to their child’s school life


Increased knowledge about individual children, their backgrounds, and their needs

Positive feedback increases teacher confidence and social skills, and supports their efforts

Parent resources for enriched learning experiences in and out of the classroom


A five-year-old child newly immigrated from Russia is entering your kindergarten class. How will he and his family benefit when the teacher reaches out to welcome his family into full communication and partnership? How will you benefit as the teacher?


Reasons for barriers◦ Human reactions, communication, and external

factors◦ Seven role dimensions and distinctions between

mothering and teaching (Katz)



Maneuvering over turf Issue of trust Differences in expertise Essential differences between teaching and

parenting



Emotional responses of both parents and teachers

Reactions to other’s role Harmful emotional responses: jealousy,

guilt, resentment Fear of criticism

Time “Busy-ness” Old ideas of parent involvement and

families Administrative policies Personal problems or style


In the scenario described earlier, of the 5-year-old Russian immigrant child entering kindergarten, consider all the possible barriers on both sides that could make forming a partnership difficult. For each barrier identified, reflect on possible solutions.


There are benefits for children, parents, and teachers when parents become involved in partnerships with teachers. Name several of each.

Barriers to partnerships may be found in factors that influence the relationship, in emotional responses of both teachers and parents, and in external factors.


Chapter 5pp

Education

enriched learning experiences

teachers reactions

parents knowledgeable

effective partnerships

consistent responses

parenting knowledge

external factors

possible barriers