At the beginning of every year, I typically have some form of questioning for my students to get to know them better. This year was my first year actually asking parents questions to get to know my students better. It was a game changer! In the past, I have requested information about logistical, health information, and those type of things. However, the Parent Survey did more than that!
The valuable information I received at the beginning of the year was unmatched! I created this sheet by contemplating various aspects that would have been convenient to know from previous years. For instance, one thing I considered if there is something specific parents prefer their child not to have. Therefore, I included a section for parents to indicate if there was something they didn't want their child to have if given the opportunity. The questions "What is something important I should know about your child?" and "Is there anything else you would like to tell me that will help make this a successful year?" provided parents with the opportunity to share details they might not have considered otherwise. In addition to learning about their child, I gained insights into custody and living situations, traumatic experiences, and other life changes. This information proved vital in helping me understand and support their children better in the classroom.
I highly recommend utilizing a Parent Survey at the beginning of the year. However, they can be used at any time you want to involve parents in the process of getting to know their child. It is a great idea for many reasons as it creates positive communication by giving parents the opportunity to share information about their children's learning experience. Having insights about your students from their parents' perspectives can significantly help you support them.
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