Partner with whānau, parents, and caregivers
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Establishing reciprocal relationships with parents and whānau to support learning’
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What to ask whānau
What to ask whānau
Connect with whānau to understand the strengths and needs of their child.
Find out about:
Tribal structures and cultural practices:
- whakapapa (genealogy)
- who they consider to be whānau
- tikanga - cultural values and practices they use (language, customs, traditions)
- about their marae.
People in the student’s life:
- parent and whānau hopes and priorities for them
- the important people in the student’s life
- the best methods and times to communicate with whānau
- the professionals working with the whānau
- the questions they have and the support they would like from the school.
Practical elements:
- the language/s spoken at home
- students’ medications and allergies
- the equipment used at home
- what they do at home to support learning.
Student’s likes and dislikes:
- their likes, interests, what they’re good at, need help with, and can do independently
- their dislikes, what can upset them, how they express this, and their calming skills
- their favourite hobbies, books, songs, sports, TV programmes.
Establish home-school partnerships
Establish home-school partnerships
Communicate and share information in a meaningful way, demonstrating understanding and support for whānau concerns.
- Develop a shared understanding of tikanga (cultural practices), such as language, customs, obligations, traditions.
- Promote regular kanohi ki te kanohi, face-to-face contact to reinforce strong communication and engagement with parents and whānau right from the start.
- Value what parents, caregivers, and whānau have noticed or assessments they have had done outside school.
- Involve parents and whānau in determining strategies to support student learning and well-being.
- Ask about and work with any programmes or materials being used at home to maximise consistency and support for the student.
- Develop systems for passing on information about a student’s needs, progress, and next steps, in ways that are meaningful.
- Regularly communicate positive information and achievements to the whānau.
Utilise parents’ skills and expertise
Utilise parents’ skills and expertise
Engagement also worked well when schools tapped into parents’ skills, talents and expertise. It was important that kaiako trusted them as parents for the knowledge they had about their child. Having kaiako who believed in their child’s potential was critical to successful and sustainable learning partnerships.
Develop authentic partnerships with parents
Develop authentic partnerships with parents
We are true partners when:
- you listen to what I have to say
- you acknowledge my intelligence
- you want to learn more about my ways
- you don’t judge me
- you engage me in genuine dialogue
- we make decisions together
- you show that my child matters to you
- you include my experience, knowledge, and viewpoints with yours.
Source: Partners in learning: Parents’ voices (ERO, 2008) (opens in a new tab/window)
Support information sharing
Support information sharing
Sharon Beattie, a parent of a child with low vision, shares her knowledge and experiences of what has worked for her family.
Closed Captions
Useful resources
Useful resources
Family/whānau file
A booklet to help parents of students with additional needs to brief their child’s school.
Educationally Powerful Connections video kete: Learning partnerships
One of five videos supported by prompting questions to guide the effective and respectful practice of kaiako.
Publisher: Poutama Pounamu
Connecting with Māori communities Whānau, Hāpu and Iwi
This resource gives school leaders, kaiako, and staff a process for thinking about why they should connect with and develop collaborative home–school relationships with their Māori communities.
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Establish reciprocal relationships ”:
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Supporting ākonga Māori
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Developing cultural capabilityShow suggestions for Developing cultural capability
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Explore Māori perspectives on inclusionShow suggestions for Explore Māori perspectives on inclusion
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Know your Māori learnersShow suggestions for Know your Māori learners
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Establish reciprocal relationshipsShow suggestions for Establish reciprocal relationships
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Build community networksShow suggestions for Build community networks
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Co-design a culturally sustaining environmentShow suggestions for Co-design a culturally sustaining environment
