Radio Commentary
From a child’s standpoint, a
parent-teacher conference brings two important parts of the child’s life closer
together – school and home.
Children usually feel good that their teacher and parents
know each other because they are all such important influences and role models.
As a
result, after the conference, parents usually are better able to help their
child with school work.
During the conference, teachers can show parents learning
growth that has taken place. Plus, teachers can pass on enjoyable details or
special concerns about learning.
In turn,
parents can learn of special services available for children who need
them.
They can find out how individual differences are taken into
account in teaching and how that can apply to their child.
For their
part, parents can help teachers learn more about home activities and situations
that affect learning.
The teacher can be more effective when positive feelings
exist between home and school. For this reason, parent/teacher conferences
create a win-win situation that goes far beyond the specific exchange of
information that takes place.
They set a
tone of cooperation and support that can be very influential on a child’s
attitude toward learning.
They also establish lines of
communication that can prove critical in times of challenge. It’s a win/win for
all involved.
