I make sure I highlight things that their child is doing well. If this is the first conference, comment that this gives a good baseline for going forward. Make sure to show parents progress from the last conference. Then go through each page of the assessment. Bring up one or two things that their child does wonderfully well, or share a funny or amusing anecdote about their child in the classroom that you know parents would enjoy. Ideas for Parent-teacher Conferencesĭuring the conference, always start with a positive. I also like to have a little snack and a notebook and pen handy for anything I may need to remember from talking with parents. Be sure to have a water bottle, breath mints, and cough drops for your voice. Right before conferences, I always make sure that I have a little basket of self-care items nearby. I like to have everything in folders ready to go, it makes it so much easier. I have created a “Pre-Conference Checklist” to help your conferences go off without a hitch! Make sure that you have assembled all of your assessments, notes, children’s work or portfolios, and any other materials you might want to share with parents. The most important thing is to be prepared. Conferences are exhausting you need to remember to take care of yourself. Whatever scheduling method you choose, make sure you block out your own breaks first. Teachers are not responsible for keeping track of sign up sheets or sending out reminders. Consequently, it makes things easier for the teachers too. Sign-up Genius is easy to set up and use. My school uses an online program called Sign-up Genius. A simple clipboard with printed time slots will work, but there are lots of online systems available. Next, it is important that you have a sign up set up about 2 to 3 weeks before the conference date. Parent-Teacher Conferences: Step 3-Sign Ups My questionnaire is included along with the Pre-conference Checklist at the bottom of this post. This also will allow you to take some extra time to do some research or take more observational notes. That way you can look over any anticipated questions or major issues and be prepared to discuss them appropriately. Secondly, about 2 weeks prior to your conference dates, you will want to send out a pre-conference questionnaire. That way if parents have questions on how I have administered the assessment I have all the materials ready to show them and answer their questions effectively. I like to have all the materials that I use for formal assessments in a tray or basket near my conference table. This way you can still follow your lesson plans. Ask for parent volunteers for the days you do formal assessments. And it allows time to assess children that may have been absent. That way I have enough time to get all my assessments completed. I begin formal assessments at least one month before the conference date.

Follow these steps for flawless and stress-free conferences every time! Parent-Teacher Conference Prep: Step One-Assessmentsįirst and foremost, formal assessments must be completed prior to parent-teacher conferences. For most preschool parents this will be one of the first times attending a conference with their child’s teacher.

Parent-teacher conferences can be stressful for both parents and teachers alike.

Parent teacher conference