TEACHERS
TE ACHERS F A M I L Y E N G A G E M E N T T O O L K I T
TWO-WAY
COMMUNIC
Two-Way Communication for Teachers ATION
T his resource
ca
tr ust w it h fam n be used to under stand ho
ilies throug h w to build rela
templates, an hom tio
HOME home visi ts.
Recomme
d Q ues tions a e visi ts. T his resource incl nships and
nda t ions
nd A nswer s th
at support te ac
udes re adings,
her s in plannin
g for
VISITS Implemen tatio
Planned ind tings
n Set
iv id
Te acher co ual time
llaborati ves
Profession
al le
Profession arning communities
al developmen
Home Visits: The Rationale Planning
Time: 60 m
t days
inu tes plannin
Families have the most direct and lasting impact Implemen
t a t ion Tim
g for home visi
t
on students’ learning and development of social e: 60 minu te
Fa milie s s for home visi
can u t
competence. It is critical that schools engage families (Teacher s sho se this resource to prepare
uld provide th fo r h o me visi ts w it h
in the formative assessment process. When families Princip a ls
is resource to
families). te acher s.
are involved in this ongoing process, schools gain can distribute
policies to ensu this
re that teacher resource to teachers, as w
information that helps students to achieve more, s have the oppo ell
Dis t ric t le
a ders can
rtunit y to com as develop
exhibit more positive attitudes and behavior, and feel use th pl ete home visits
school enac tm .
en t of home vi is resource to develop po
more comfortable in new settings. At the start of the si ts. licies that sup
port
year, teachers must reach out to families in order to
build the kind of relationships that engage them as
active partners in their children’s early education.
development. It is important to have the following
goals and intentions:
The Benefits of Home Visits
Establish a positive relationship
Home visits have been associated with higher Learn more about the family and the child
scores for students in math, reading and adapting
Use information to inform teaching and learning
to the classroom. Students who receive home-
In addition, home visits are:
visits are also found to have greater engagement in
For relationship-building and co-planning
literacy activities and are more likely to choose and
participate in group activities. For building awareness around cultural beliefs and
norms
Not conducted on school grounds
Home Visits: An Introduction
Home visits can serve as the foundation of formative Voluntary for teachers and parents
assessment. The first goal of home visits is for Not just for struggling students
educators to listen -- to build relationships and trust, Scheduled in advance
not solve a problem or demonstrate expertise. Home
visits are based on a belief that families and teachers Home Visits Benefit Educators, Too.
are equally important co-educators and that the
family is the expert on the individual child while the Teachers gain insight on the home environment of
teacher is the expert on the curriculum instruction and their students, as well as the strengths or ‘funds of
assessment process. knowledge’ of students’ families, which allow them to
make differentiated instruction more individualized
The home visit is an opportunity to effectively for every child.
engage family members in their child’s learning and
BuildInitiative.org/FamilyEngagementToolkit
1
Home Visits Are Proven To Create Strong Relationships With Families and Have the
Most Impact On Student Achievement Moving Forward.
Home visits lead to improved communication with parents, enhanced understanding of the student and family, and greater
insight on how the home environment can support school performance.
Home Visit Planning Document
Timeline Tasks
Organize contact information.
Before the home
Compile a working list of family phone numbers, addresses, and emails.
visit
Develop a strategy/timeline for visits (ex: going in alphabetical order, picking specific days/times for visits).
Make initial contact and use the HOME VISIT SCRIPT as needed to guide the communication.
Send information home to families like LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CHILD and HOME VISIT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Reintroduce yourself (and anyone else who is with you).
Ask questions to break the ice. (Ex: “Are these ______’s siblings?” “How long have you lived here?” “Who
enjoys video games?” etc.).
Restate the purpose/focus of your visit. (Ex: “My reason for being here is just to spend a little time getting to
know you better and hearing from you about how I can best support your family and your child. I mostly just want to
During the home visit
listen, but I will also be happy to answer any questions you have for me.” This means you cannot be asking the
bulk of the questions.)
Ask one general question first. (Ex: “What are things that have worked/not worked about your child’s past education
experiences?” “What are your hopes and dreams for your child this year/in the future?” “Is there anything that you want
me to know about your child that you think will help me in helping him be successful?”) Invite questions by asking
what the family member would like to know about what’s happening in the classroom.
Listen. (Give the parent/family member time and space to answer your questions; continue to ask open-ended probing
questions if the conversation does not flow naturally; allow silence; resist the temptation to be the authority in the
conversation; if taking notes, be clear that you’re writing down goals.)
Share your expectations. Encourage the parent/guardian to share their expectations as well.
Offer an invitation. (Take this time to personally invite the family members to upcoming school events, classroom
activities, and volunteer opportunities.)
Fill out the Home Visit Debrief Form.
Follow-up. (Ex: Tell the family member about the many ways you plan to encourage communication and give them
After the home visit
specific ways to contact you if anything comes up and they want to talk to you. Ask them what method works best for
them.)
Continue communication consistently. (Using their preferred mode of communication, set up periodic informal
check-ins, ask families about goal progress at home.)
Track goals in the classroom and share progress. (Have a system for tracking and sharing updates with families
in clear, concise ways.)
Be open and available to more visits or out-of-school convenings. (If the opportunities align, be clear that it’s
possible to meet again based on the need and purpose.)
2
FAMILIES’ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME VISITS
Q: Do I Have to Allow the Teacher To Visit My Home?
A: No, the home visit is voluntary. Your child’s teacher will contact you to find out if you’re comfortable letting him/
her visit your home. Alternative locations include local community centers, libraries, or coffee shops.
Q: Why Is The Teacher Coming To Visit My Home?
A: Because you know your child better than anyone else, the teacher hopes to take some time to hear what you
expect from him/her as your child’s teacher, and to learn about what your hopes are for your child. The teacher’s
hope is to build a successful relationship between school and home life that will help your child succeed. As a
result of home visits and strong school-home relationships, a child’s academic progress usually increases.
Q: What Should We Discuss During The Home Visit?
A: Talk about the things your child does at home and how they may relate to what they do in school. Remember, this
is a learning experience for both you and the teacher, and not a time to troubleshoot something that may be
wrong in the classroom.
Q: What Is the Teacher Looking For During The Home Visit?
A: The teacher is just looking to get to know you and your family better. The purpose of the visit will be simply to
listen to you and learn from you. For example, the teacher might ask about your child’s favorite books, toys, or
games. He/she will also be happy to answer any questions you have.
Q: Is the Teacher Visiting Because My Child Did Something Wrong?
A: No. Home visits are not just for struggling students. The teacher wants to get to know all of her/his students
better. He/she wants to hear from you about your child’s needs, likes/dislikes, and strengths and challenges.
Q: Should I Do Something Different to My Home To Prepare for The Visit?
A: No, you don’t have to do anything to prepare for the visit. You don’t need to worry about cleaning or changing
anything in your home. Your child’s teacher will not be there to judge your home; he/she just wants to get to know
your child and family better.
Q: Should My Child(Ren) Be Present During The Home Visit?
A: It’s not required that your children be there, but it is helpful for the teacher to see your child in their natural
home setting.
3
Let’s Talk About My Child
No one knows your child better than you. Through conversations with your child’s teacher you can share important
information that can help your child’s teacher understand him/her better, and find out more about your child’s progress in
school. Here are suggestions for getting the conversation started…
Share some of your Tell the teacher about
Ask the teacher what child’s favorite things to things that your child
your child is learning do at home. can do easily or
at school. really well.
Ask about changes
he/she sees in your
Share information Share information child as the year
about your child’s about things that are goes on.
temperament. difficult for your child
to do or learn.
Ask about how your
Ask what you can do child gets along with other
to support your child’s children and adults at school,
learning at home. and tell the teacher about how
your child gets along with
friends and family
at home.
4
Home Visit Introduction Script
LETTER/EMAIL/PHONE CALL EXAMPLE
Greetings,
I hope this note finds you well! I just wanted to let you know what a pleasure it is to have ______________
in class. In an effort to learn more about your goals for your child, I am writing to ask whether you would be
comfortable letting me visit you and ______________ in your home. The visit does not have to be long; I just
want to talk together – perhaps read a book with ______________, look at ______________ favorite toy, and
have a chance to talk with you and your family. I have found that this home visit really helps to connect family
and school, and as a result, a child’s academic progress usually increases. Below I have provided some available
times. Please choose a time (or suggest others if none of these work) and send this sheet back with ______________. I
will contact you to confirm soon. If you would rather meet at a location outside of your home, please let me know
what would work for you and we’ll come up with a plan.
Warmly,
_____________________________________________
Mondays 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesdays 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wednesdays 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursdays 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Some Saturdays Anytime
Some Sundays Anytime
Time(s) that work(s) for you:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
5
Home Visit Debrief Form
THIS FORM IS TO BE FILLED OUT AFTER THE VISIT, NOT DURING.
TEACHERS SHOULD CONSIDER NOT TAKING NOTES DURING A HOME VISIT IN ORDER TO FOCUS ON
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.
Teacher name: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Student name: _________________________________________________________________________________________
People present at visit: __________________________________________________________________________________
Date and time of visit: __________________________________________________________________________________
Location of visit: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Family’s hopes and dreams for their child: ________________________________________________________________
What did you learn about the student or his/her interests that will help you in teaching him or her?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Any information on family’s past education experiences:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
This document was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the
Department, and you should not assume endorsement by the U.S. Federal Government.
