Chapter 9pp

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What do you know about the purposes of parent conferences?

Can you identify some of the strategies for planning and conducting parent conferences?

What are some of the pitfalls to avoid in parent conferences?

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To provide a developmental overview To provide time and privacy To increase mutual knowledge To formulate goals

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Explain purpose of conference to parents Plan for uninterrupted time Plan for private location Plan goals and materials to be discussed Prepare parents for their participatory role

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Help parents feel at ease Begin with positive attitude and comments Encourage parent participation

◦ Active listening: paraphrasing and reflecting Summarize for parents

◦ Copies of assessment tools

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Consider any experiences you have had participating in or observing parent-teacher conferences. Can you recall specific examples of some of these principles in action? Or, can you identify which of these principles would have improved the conferences?

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Avoid using technical terminology

Avoid the role of “expert”

Avoid negative evaluations

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Avoid unprofessional conversation

Avoid giving advice

Avoid rushing into solutions

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Can you describe a specific example of each pitfall? It is important to recognize these.

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Planning for follow up and next steps Self-evaluation

◦ How prepared was I?◦ How well did I listen?◦ How well did I involve the parents?

Parent evaluation◦ How valuable was the conference?◦ Did I get new ideas about my child?

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Productive parent-teacher conferences need:◦ Planning and preparation to achieve goals◦ Time and privacy for discussion◦ Strategies to facilitate two-way communication

and sharing of information, questions, and ideas◦ Respect for each participant’s expertise◦ A positive focus on child’s progress and

development.

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