Environment for Parent-Teacher Conferences

According to Coleman (1991), a comfortable conference environment accomplishes the following:

• Allows parents to begin by asking questions and expressing their concerns.

• Gives participants enough time.

• Shows the child's work.

• Begins and ends with positive comments.

• Asks open-ended questions (such as "How do you read to Joey?" rather than "Do you read to Joey every day?").

• Matches the family's communication style.

• Does not give advice but asks families to share their feelings and make suggestions.

• Later thanks the family with a note.

References