Partnering with parents and caregivers
Parents and caregivers are foundational pillars in a child’s well-being and learning both at home and at school. They are their child’s first teachers and know their child best. When schools and families work together, students feel a stronger sense of belonging, stability and confidence – key ingredients for mental health and learning success.
Partnership means more than sharing information. It’s about listening, collaborating and building trust so families feel respected and supported as equal partners in their child’s education and well-being.
What the research tells us
- When schools actively collaborate with caregivers, students show improved attendance, mental health and well-being.
- Culturally responsive engagement strengthens trust and collaboration between home and school.
- Engaging caregivers in mental health learning helps them feel better equipped to notice concerns and seek support
Why this is important
Parents and caregivers want their children to be physically and mentally healthy and already have many effective tools and strategies in place. Families bring deep knowledge about their children – their strengths, needs and experiences beyond the classroom. When school staff connect meaningfully with parents and caregivers, it creates a bridge between home and school that supports both learning and mental health.
For some families, stigma or past experiences can make conversations about mental health difficult. By approaching these discussions with care, curiousity and respect, schools can help families feel welcomed and included.
Building relationships with families
School staff can foster trust with parents and caregivers by:
- Starting early: Build relationships before challenges arise.
- Communicating consistently: Share positive updates, not only concerns.
- Honouring family expertise: Recognize that parents/caregivers know their child best.
- Creating supportive, inclusive spaces: Offer translation, cultural liaisons or flexible meeting times.
- Listening without judgment: Focus on understanding before offering solutions.
From awareness to action
Strong family partnerships thrive when communication and collaboration are intentional.
- Make information accessible by providing translated easy-to-understand materials or visual summaries of supports.
- Normalize mental health conversations through newsletters, parent sessions and class updates.
- Encourage two-way communication, not just school-to-home messages.
- Celebrate strengths through routine communication about good news.
- Invite families to help co-create wellness initiatives that reflect community strengths and cultures.
- Celebrate diversity and acknowledge different ways families support well-being.
When families feel respected and heard, collaboration grows, and so does student well-being.