Ask an administrator to be present. You shouldn’t do this for every parent conference, but if you are genuinely nervous that things may get heated, ask for an administrator to sit in on it with you. Make sure you let parents know this ahead of time if you can so that it doesn’t look like you’re trying to be sneaky or catch them off-guard.
How can teachers improve parent-teacher conferences?
Teachers must be active listeners in any parent-teacher conference but taking notes is also important. During a conference, maintain eye contact and open body language. Parents should be allowed to speak without interruption and feel that they are being heard.
How do you respond to unexpected news at a parent-teacher conference?
Here are some ways to respond when the parent-teacher conference includes some unexpected news, as suggested by the National PTA: Avoid angry or apologetic reactions. Instead, ask for examples. Ask what is being done about the problem and what strategies seem to help at school.
How do you conduct a parent/teacher meeting?
Sit at a table with parents so that you are meeting as equals. Maintain the three Ps . Be polite, positive and professional to set the meeting’s tone. Identify what is expected. Work together to set common goals for the student. Listen to the parents. Focus on responses and be ready to follow up. Plan regular updates.
How do you deal with a difficult parent teacher conference?
7 Tips for Teachers on Dealing with Difficult ParentsNo Surprises. … Meet Face-to-Face with Parents. … Alert Your Principal or Department Chair to the Situation. … Listen and Ask Questions. … Try to Find Things You Agree On. … Don’t Allow Yourself to Be Pressured. … Know When the Conversation Is Over.
What should you not say at a parent teacher conference?
10 Things Not to Say at a Parent Teacher Conference“We don’t read at home.”“I have to help him with everything.” … “He doesn’t like school.” … “He doesn’t do well with a _____ teacher.” … “All you have to do is just call me.” … “He never acts this way at home.” … “I always believe my child.” … “There’s nothing else I can do.” … More items…•
Should I be scared of parent teacher conference?
It is quite normal for you to feel nervous about a parent teacher conference. This meeting might be your very first, it might be a special-called meeting for a specific issue, or there may be some baggage that comes with the present school year making you nervous.
Why do parents fear parent teacher conferences?
Some parents fear that they will be judged and.or criticized by the teacher – subtly or overtly – for not doing enough to assist their child academically or behaviorally. And if there is a difference of opinion patents fear that the teacher may take it out on their child in some way.
What do parents want to hear parent-teacher conferences?
Be sure to explain any terms, curriculum titles, or even words on progress reports that aren’t commonly used outside the school setting. Ask questions and listen. Ask parents or guardians for their input about students’ strengths, needs, and learning styles, as well as their hopes and dreams for their children.
What are two strategies you could try for getting such hard to reach parents to have a conference with you about their child’s progress?
Try to remain calm and follow a few tips from the National Education Association:Emphasize the positive.Let the parents talk first.Use active listening. … Discuss how both parties want what’s best for the child.Agree on a strategy and get on the same page before including the child in the conversation.
What questions should I ask at parent teacher conference?
Questions About the CurriculumCan you describe your teaching style?What skills are you working to develop right now?How do these skills relate to the goals of the entire school year?What are the five most important skills you want students to develop this year?Does my student have to take standardized tests?More items…•
What parents want to hear?
6 Things Parents Need to Hear Right NowMy child’s behaviour isn’t always a reflection of my parenting skills. … My child can’t help interrupting me. … Children don’t only want to play, they need to play. … It’s okay to not like my child some of the time. … Tantrums are gifts in disguise.More items…•
What percentage of parents go to parent-teacher conferences?
In a recent survey, 81 percent of parents said they attend parent-teacher conferences, but teachers said only 57 percent of parents attend. Parent-teacher conferences are meant to strengthen the partnership between a child’s most important mentors.
Are parent-teacher conferences outdated?
To conclude, parent-teacher conferences are an outdated event that has been progressively replaced by technology until, now, they serve next to no purpose whatsoever.
What are some communication do’s and don’ts when communicating with parents?
Dos and Don’ts of Communicating with FamiliesBe specific. … Share the good things. … Share bad news personally, not in a note. … Make copies of what you send home. … Use a simple good day / bad day system. … Avoid telling families bad news. … Respond only when the family asks for something. … Expect families to share everything with you.
What are the do’s and don’ts in planning and implementing parents teacher conference?
The Do’s and Don’ts of Parent-Teacher ConferencesDo start with a positive about their child. … Don’t forget that it’s a team effort. … Do share an example of a student’s reflection during the conference. … Don’t arrive unprepared. … Do give examples of what language you use at school and your expectations.More items…•
What do you discuss in a parent meeting?
Make a list of topics that you want to discuss with the teacher and that you think the teacher should know, such as your concerns about the school, the child’s home life, any major changes in your family, habits, hobbies, part-time jobs, religious holidays, or anything that is worrying your child.
What is the purpose of parent teacher conferences?
A parent–teacher conference is a time when important people in a student’s life can talk about how that student is doing in school. It’s a chance for you to ask questions about the class or your child’s progress.
What is the biggest mistake in parenting?
Remember that your child is far more than the sum of your parenting skills. “The biggest mistake is overreacting before listening to all the information,” says Dr. Andrea Canter, a nationally certified school psychologist who worked 30 years for the Minneapolis school district.
Who is Judy’s teacher?
Judy’s colleague, third grade teacher Laura Fender, comes to difficult conferences armed with examples. “I bring copies of other children’s work – with the names blacked out, of course,” she says. “I want the parents to see how their child’s work compares with others in the class.
Why aren’t children being identified quickly?
Children aren’t being identified quickly because there is an assumption that the problem is the language barrier.”. Separating the impact of language differences from that of a learning disability can be tricky, even for professionals. “A lot of parents are in denial, which makes it even more difficult,” says Driessen.
Is a parent teacher conference stressful?
The parent-teacher conference can be a stressful time for both parents and teachers – even more so if your child possibly has a problem. This article offers strategies for getting the most out of the conference, and also includes stories from veteran teachers of successful (and not-so-successful) parent-teacher conferences.
How to deal with your ex?
Treat your ex with respect. Respect each other. No matter how bad your relationship may be, you do not want to let that become the focus of the parent-teacher conference. There is no reason to be swinging insults at your ex or screaming profanities in this setting. Pay attention to your body language and tone of voice.
Do not place blame on your parents?
Do not place blame. It is important to remember that it isn’t a competition. One parent may have custody during the school week so it seems easy to place the blame for any school-related issues on them, but as co-parents that is not fair nor is it the case. Stay focused on what you can do together to support your child and remain a united front. …
What should a parent-teacher conference include?
The teacher should have examples of your child’s schoolwork, any relevant test scores, and observations of the child’s class participation, academic work, and social growth to share with you. As a parent, it’s helpful to prepare some questions for the teacher conference about anything …
Why do you need a parent-teacher conference?
You can ask for a special parent-teacher conference if you have concerns about your child’s progress. You might want to request a teacher conference if you aren’t getting enough information about your child’s education through notes, emails and returned class work from the teacher.
How long does a child’s teacher have to meet with parents?
Your child’s teacher has to meet with every parent in one day. Some schools split the time up and offer afternoon conferences and evening ones. Time spent per child’s guardians is usually limited to 10 to 15 minutes so be respectful of other people’s time and keep the conversation to the point.
Take a breath
If the teacher focuses on issues your child is having at school, before responding, take a breath and simply listen. No parent likes to hear negative things about their child — whether it’s bad behavior in class or a possible learning problem (such as difficulty with reading, writing, or math).
Be clear
If you are coming to the teacher with a problem you’re concerned about, try to be as clear as possible. Some parents worry that if they tell the teacher about an issue their child is having in class, the teacher will think they’re criticizing her — or that they’ll get their child into more trouble.
Give the teacher helpful information
No one knows your kid better than you do. If you’re worried that the teacher doesn’t get your child or is judging her unfairly, tell her whatever you can so that she better understands your child. (Click here for more information on what’s appropriate to share with the teacher.)
Move to solutions
Once you’ve talked about the problem, ask the teacher “What do you think?” or “What can we do to make this better?” This brings you from focusing on the problem to focusing on solutions. Also, by asking these questions, you’re letting the teacher know that you value her advice and are willing to work with her.
Get to know the teacher
Your meeting doesn’t have to be all business. Take a minute to get to know the teacher on other levels. In other words, treat her as a person by finding out more about her.
Hand out praise
In these conversations, people often focus on what’s not working, so the whole tone of the meeting can be negative. Instead, take time to point out the good stuff too! Express appreciation that the teacher is concerned enough to bring up problems to be addressed, and tell her about the good things she’s doing with your child.
Parent-Teacher Conferences During a Crisis
In a pandemic, parent-teacher conferences may need to occur on video calls and over email or other messaging platforms. And, in some cases, the shift to these platforms can actually increase the amount of communication between parents and educators.
Additional Resources
The Center for Family Engagement:
External link
hub from the National PTA offering useful videos, podcasts and research information.
Why should parents attend parent teacher conferences?
The common goal of all parent-teacher conferences is to benefit the students and both parties are valuable resources in accomplishing this . Parents should know what you will cover and what they should bring up during a conference so that time is not wasted coming up with things to say.
What should teachers have examples of student work available for reference at every parent-teacher conference?
Teachers should have examples of student work available for reference at every parent-teacher conference. Rubrics and teacher guides that outline grade-level expectations can also be helpful. Even for students performing at or above academic expectations, samples of work are a great way to show parents how their children are doing.
What do parents and teachers want to talk about?
Parents and teachers may feel that there is a lot more to discuss than whether a student is meeting academic goals—many families also want to talk about social progress, accommodations and modifications for their child, behavior in and out of the classroom, and more.
Why should teachers position themselves close to parents?
Teachers should position themselves close to parents for comfort and engagement during conferences. Sitting behind a barrier such as a desk creates distance between you and makes it difficult to communicate.
What is the importance of communication between parents and teachers?
Updated October 08, 2019. Good communication between teachers and families is essential for student success. With multiple methods of communication available—including email, texts, and apps such as Remind —teachers have many choices about how they choose to communicate with parents and guardians.
How to deal with angry parents as a teacher?
Every teacher will face an angry parent at some point. Remain calm in the face of confrontation. Remind yourself in times of stress that you don’t know all of the baggage that the families of your students carry.
What is the most popular method of communication in school?
Face-to-face conferencing remains the most popular method of school-home communication, according to the results of the 2017 National Household Education Survey which reported that 78% of parents/guardians attended at least one conference that academic year.
