Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/for-the-benefit-of-all-planning-and-conducting-effective-parent-conferences/5007447/
To take the first step toward more effective parent communications, it is important to recognize the communication barriers and attempt to overcome them.Anecdotes referenced to a specific date and event are the most helpful component of a parent conference. They clarify and simplify discussions and help emphasize major points.
The most important reward for me has been observing the way children have improved as a result of the cooperative efforts between parent and teacher.
Does the thought of doing a parent conference make you uncomfortable? If your experiences with parents have been primarily negative encounters over a child who is in some kind of trouble, your experiences are typical. Individual school policies about parent involvement vary greatly, but many schools and teachers prefer to keep parents at a safe distance. However, positive experiences with parents are not only possible, they can be fun and rewarding for everyone involved. We must all recognize the tremendous influence and impact parents have on the child's success in school.
Parent conferences should be much more than a procedure to inform the parent about how the child is doing in a given area of development. Parents have a great deal to offer ...