Sample Letter to Parents from Teacher about Behavior

Children can behave inappropriately if left unsupervised

Notifying parents about children’s behaviors is often necessary, especially when something seems wrong. If this behavior is repeated several times, the best option is to talk to the parents or guardians of the child in question to alert them to what is happening with the child.

The learning period is the most critical in a person’s life, so any problems a child may have should be detected at a very early age and as soon as possible.

When should I notify parents about their child’s misbehavior?

The task of informing parents about changes in their child’s behavior is not easy, so teachers must be careful when assessing behavior and noticing something wrong with a child.

There are different reasons why parents need to be notified about their child’s attitudes, especially when the child is not being given the necessary attention at this age. Parents should be alerted when:

• Children may engage in sexually bizarre behavior involving other children if not treated promptly. It is necessary to let the child know that what they are doing is wrong and that they should modify this attitude since, probably, no one has told them before.
• If a child has problems with their sexual behavior, they may not be aware of what they are doing. That might be because they feel unsure of themselves or lonely, which can affect cognitive development at an early age. Provide emotional support and let them know they are not alone, but, at the same time, that they should avoid such behavior through disciplinary measures.
• Many parents are unaware of their child’s behavior, so the teacher should keep them informed if there are observations or strange attitudes. In this way, parents can seek the necessary pedagogical help.
• Children with strange sexual behavior may be victims of abuse. The help and support of a professional should be provided to overcome these traumas at such an early age. Early detection of these attitudes is essential to correct and modify them.

How do I notify parents when there is aggressive behavior in the child?

It is not easy for parents to know that their child’s behavior is inappropriate, but it is the job of the educational institution to let them know about those attitudes. It is a difficult task since it has yet to be understood how parents will react after learning something needs to be fixed with their child.

Communicating with parents about their child’s actions requires some sensitivity and tact, as this is a significant problem that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Here are some tips for talking to the children’s parents.

Be kind and friendly.

By being friendly and using the first person, parents will notice that some responsibility does not fall on them, so they will be a little more relieved to know that it is not their fault that their children are engaging in such behavior, even if it sometimes is.

Be empathetic and put yourself in the parent’s shoes, and think how you would act if your children’s teacher told you that they have the wrong attitude. For example, you might say, “I feel sad that I can’t help your child join in and play with the other children because they are afraid of getting hit.

Many parents react in the worst way when they learn that their child has some difficulty relating to others, so you have to start the conversation calmly, reassure them, be kind, and have an attitude of affection, respect, compassion, and honesty.

See the glass half-full

Although it is not a nice subject to inform about, it must be done in the best way possible to help parents process the information as well as can be. Maintaining a positive attitude when talking to the parents is necessary so that you can work together and find a solution for the child’s sake.

Notification without opinion

The notification letter about a child’s misbehavior should be written only to inform the parents about the situation without giving them your opinion about their child. If they ask you for advice, you can give your point of view and argument on the matter.

Be precise and use examples.

When notifying parents about their child’s situation, you should give examples of their child’s misbehavior and rely on the facts to accurately communicate what is going on. A great way to demonstrate and affirm your statements is to mention specific examples. It will help parents understand what you want to explain and even find a solution to their child’s strange behaviors.

Get to the point

When writing a letter, notifying parents of their child’s misbehavior, you mustn’t beat around the bush and get straight to the point. Truth is a critical component of the teacher-parent relationship, and there is no point in embellishing the situation before saying what is going on with the child in question.

Explain how you are handling the situation

After writing about the child’s behavior, with examples of the child’s actions, tell the parents how you handle this problem at school. In addition, you can include the school rules that the child broke. In this way, you can use facts to support the type of help you have given their child to modify their attitude.

That can lead to misinterpretations by parents, as many feel that no one can teach their child how to behave, so be careful when explaining how you are helping the child.

Ask about changes at home.

Generally, the child adopts the behavior of their parents, as this is what they live with daily, so ask the parents if there was any misunderstanding or episode that may have triggered this attitude in the child. This question may be somewhat invasive, and parents may react badly, but it is necessary to help the child to modify their actions.

It may be that the child has gone through a “traumatic” event that has meant a before and after in their young life, such as a parental divorce, the arrival of a sibling, moving to a new place, a change of routine, or school, or, in the worst case, domestic violence.

Below, you can download some sample letters to parents about their child’s behavior.

References

• “How Can I Approach Parents When I Have Concerns about Their Child’s Aggressive Behavior? – EXtension Alliance for Better Child Care.” Extension Alliance for Better Child Care, https://childcare.extension.org/how-can-i-approach-parents-when-i-have-concerns-about-their-childs-aggressive-behavior/.
• How to Write a Letter on a Student’s Progress – Synonym. https://classroom.synonym.com/write-letter-students-progress-8181250.html.
• “Letter for Persistent Misbehavior – Magenta Diaz’s Art Classroom Management Portfolio.” Google Sites: Sign-In, https://sites.google.com/site/mdiazartclassportfolio/crucial-communication/letter-to-parent—student-misbehavior.