The goal of parent-teacher conferences in the preschool or daycare setting is to help parents, teacher and the child become more involved in the educational process. We interviewed Lonna Corder, Director of SF preschool and renowned parenting coach, to find out how to implement parent-teacher conferences and in Part 2 of the interview Corder explains bring about more effective teacher-parent communication in family daycare.
OwnADaycare: What are 5 important questions parents can ask preschool teachers about their child?
Lonna Corder: I think the five most important questions are the following:
1) What is my child’s favorite activity at school?
2) How do the other children respond to my child?
3) Is there anything we can do at home to support what is being done at school?
4) What do you view as my child’s strength?
5) What does my child need to work on?
OwnADaycare: If you were to make a list tips for a successful preschool parent-teacher conference, what would they be?
Lonna Corder: Five tips for parent teacher conferences…
1) Both parents should attend so they both hear what is being said about the child and to let the school know they take the school seriously. This support will quite honestly create a better relationship for everyone and thus support the child.
2) Parents should take and keep notes and be prepared to listen more than talk. This is the teachers chance to tell parents their very well thought out experience with the child. Only when we are quiet can we truly hear what is being said.
3) Parents should go with honesty and not hid things from teachers. If dad has moved out of the house the school needs to know. Home and school will affect each other; the lines of communication must be open. School and parents are partners and must work together.
4) Try everything, if teachers suggest Occupational Therapy to help strengthen the child’s gross motor skills take the suggestion seriously. If teachers think your child is tired during the day, put your child to bed earlier. Look at the teacher as a professional, parents should ask themselves; do I take the advice of my car mechanic more seriously than my preschool teacher?
5) One final tip. Teachers work very hard, it is so wonderful when parents acknowledge this by doing something simple yet special like bring a cup of coffee to the early conference or a simple bouquet of flowers to let the teacher know thank you, we appreciate the time and care you put into our child.
No related posts.
