Tips for Talking to Parents about a Difficult Student

Young students have their own unique personalities and this is the best thing about them. While some students are well behaved, eager pleasers in class, some can tend to be more troublemaking, unruly, and not as well behaved. When you must address certain behavioral issues with the student’s parents, so together, you can come up with a solution that helps the students to do better. Here are some tips that will help you in talking to parents about a difficult student.

1. Send a classroom management packet home

When a new student enters the classroom, you should send home a notice that outline classroom activities, expectations, containing rules, goals, and guidelines. Parents should also know exactly what type of behavior is acceptable in your class. After your conference, you can mention back to the guidelines, and parents would not be taken by surprise should you have to address that their child is not complying with any of these standards.

2. Be Friendly

Before diving into any issues, you should start off the meeting with some small talk, and get to know them personally. By putting parents at comfort, they will be less defensive and more receptive to your feedback about their child. You should maintain a positive thinking and tone and attitude during the conversation.

3. Inform

The purpose of talking to parents about their child’s behavior is too strictly inform. Keep opinions, thoughts, and advice to a minimum. When parents ask for your opinions or thoughts, are cautious, and try to be as diplomatic as possible. You should keep in mind you and the parents only want what is best for their child.

4. Be honest

Be straightforward, this behavior is interfering with learning and is not allowed in this classroom. Do not hold back or allow any room for misinterpretation, because the most helpful language for parents is the plain truth.

5. Stick to the facts

Tell the student’s parents exactly what happened, or what has been happening, that prompted the conference or call. Stick to what you know to be true, which brings us to our next tip.

6. Explain how you are handling the behavior  

After giving the facts of the behavior and incident, let the parents know how the problem is being handled at school. You should explain to the student’s parents the rule or guideline that the student has broken, and how he or she is being held accountable. Assure the parents that you are doing your part to help resolve the issue, change the behavior, and turn it into a teachable moment.

7. Be brief   

Try to conduct conversations or conferences with parents, especially over the phone, in less than five minutes. End the call by indicating to parents that you appreciate their support and that they can call or email with any further questions.

It’s never easy talking to parents about behavioral issues. However, keep in mind, parents appreciate being informed and most certainly want to know about any issues, so they too can address them at home.