How to Make the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences at Preschool
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Parent-teacher meetings are an integral part of school life. They offer an excellent opportunity for parents and teachers to come together and truly understand how a child is performing. According to the American Psychological Association, parental involvement in school life leads to improved academic outcomes. Let’s check out some practical tips to make theconference with parentsmore productive.
Purpose of the conference
Parent-teacher meetings are quick sessions that last just between ten and thirty minutes. Therefore, it is always better to set an agenda before the meeting that covers all matters to be discussed. Some of the main things to be included are:
Student’s academic progress
Classroom behaviour and social skills
Special needs
Study habits
For parents, this is an opportunity to bring their perspective to the table. You can share your child’s behaviour closely with the teachers. This is crucial, especially in pre primary schools in Mumbai where early learning sets the basic foundation.
Preparing for the Conference
Walking into the parent-teacher meeting with some thoughts already prepared will help guide the conversation. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
Thoroughly analyse the reports or progress notes sent by parents before conducting the meetings.
Set out what goals you want to achieve from the meeting.
Take note of how your child behaves at home and plan to discuss it with teachers.
Don’t limit your communication with your child’s teacher to conferences. Find out if they prefer to interact via phone calls, emails or school-wide apps. The sooner you know your child’s teacher’s communication style, the better you can monitor the classroom.
Communicate openly and honestly
To get the parent-teacher conference started well, start with a compliment. For instance, you can start by saying “my daughter is really enjoying her classroom.” Next, politely initiate the conversation and direct it to the goals you have set. Remember, teachers only see your child for a portion of the day, so they rely on parents to fill in the gaps. That’s exactly why you must openly communicate your child’s behavior in home and the challenges faced. Above all, don’t hesitate to express your concerns. Raising them in a respectful manner will lead to a more productive conversation.
Ask the Right Questions
Keep in mind that your time is limited. Try to address the most important questions first. Making a list of questions will be useful. These are a few questions that will start a thought-provoking discussion about your child:
If there is something that my child is not doing well at, what has been done to help?
What aspects of my child’s academic performance need to be improved?
Does my child take part in discussions and activities in the classroom?
Also, inquire about aspects of your child’s school experience, including character and friendships. For those consideringnursery school admission, these questions can be adapted to learn about the school’s approach to early childhood development.
Taking notes is very useful if one parent or another is unable to attend. Plus, it might also help you remember for future questioning and keep track of your child’s progress. Jot down key points like strengths, areas of improvement, interests, etc. Ask the teacher if you don’t understand something. If you encounter new phrases or programmes, stop and ask questions. Misunderstandings may easily arise from a lack of understanding.
Follow Up After the Conference
A parent-teacher conference doesn’t end when the meeting is over. To make it most effective, you need to make proper follow-ups. If you and your child’s teacher decide on future actions, check in with each other in the upcoming week or two to see how things are going. Whenever you check in, request an update. Prepare to discuss your progress on any action measures as well. Take action to implement the plan if the teacher highlights something that needs to be discussed with your child. This might involve discussing a social-emotional issue, improving their organisation or helping with homework.
Be supportive of your child
Discuss the proceedings of the parent-teacher meeting with the child also. Share positive feedback from the meeting and let your child know that you’re proud of their progress. But at the same time, make sure that your kid is aware of the improvement areas. Then, explain the corrective measures that are discussed in the meeting, without causing them anxiety. Many international schools in Mumbai have robust systems in place for regular parent-teacher communication and follow-ups.
Conclusion
Conferences with parents provide an open forum for information exchange and goal setting to support the kid. Thus, be ready, ask questions, and keep in mind that your child’s success in their early schooling is the shared objective of both the teacher and you. At Witty International Schools, we aim to create a space where parents and teachers work together to develop young children. We ensure that every child gets the care they deserve to develop, both personally and academically. Contact us now!