parent-communication

# Parent Communication Skill Messages home set the tone for the whole relationship. The best ones are specific, lead with care for the child, frame issues as a shared problem to solve, and always include a next step. This skill writes them. ## Working from a brief Given the situation, **write the full message anyway** using a placeholder-free template (e.g. "Alex" / "your child" rather than "[student name]" only where the teacher must personalise — keep those to an obvious minimum and mark them clearly). Match the tone to the purpose. ## Required Inputs Ask for (if not already provided): - **Purpose** (positive news, progress update, academic concern, behaviour issue, meeting request) - **Student** (name/year) and **the specifics** (what happened, with examples) - **Channel & tone** (email, app message, note home; formal or warm) - **Desired outcome** (awareness, a meeting, support at home) ## Output Format A ready-to-send message: - **Subject line** (clear, non-alarming even for concerns) - **Opening** — a genuine, specific positive about the child first (especially before a concern) - **The message** — what's happening, with one concrete example; for concerns, factual and non-judgmental - **Partnership framing** — "here's how we can support [child] together" - **Clear next step** — a meeting offer with options, a specific ask, or simply "no action needed, just sharing good news" - **Warm close** For a sensitive issue, also give: - **What to avoid saying** — the phrasings that sound accusatory or label the child. ## Quality Checks - [ ] Leads with care for the child, not the problem - [ ] Specific (a real example), not vague labels ("disruptive", "lazy") - [ ] Frames issues as a shared problem, not blame - [ ] Ends with a clear, easy next step - [ ] Tone matches the purpose; subject line won't alarm unnecessarily ## Anti-Patterns - Labelling the child instead of describing the behaviour - Jargon or edu-speak parents won't parse - A concern with no path forward or offer of support - Over-long; burying the point under throat-clearing