Discussion Board

TUTOR INSTRUCTIONS:

Discussion

What strategies can you use to ensure that parents/caregivers feel welcome and comfortable at the beginning of the conference?

I always start by explain to the parents that first and foremost every child develops differently because I know some parent like to compete with other children. Then explain why we are meeting in regards to the child, and then also share some positive news about the child progressing from then to know.

What strategies can you use when sharing assessment information with the parents/caregivers? Why did you choose these strategies?
The first thing that I am going to do is get copies of everything and have them ready to give to the parents so that they know exactly where he was at the beginning of the school year and where he is now. Then I would provide them with any resources information that would be of help. I would keep everything as positive as possible because then the parents would be comfortable and open with the information that we are sharing together. Why did you choose these strategies? The reason I chose this strategy is because parents are sometimes in denial and feel like they are being judged and that is the last thing that I would want them to feel. I want them comfortable enough to where they open on their concerns and that they could understand the information that I am providing.

What method can you use to summarize the student's progress?

I would have all the scores and graphs that show where he was compared to other children in his class at the beginning of the year and where he is now. This would allow me to show them that they are not the only parents with a child that needs additional services or help in school. I would then have a game plan of where we need to provide additional assistance with Koi and how we can help the parents with open communication and specific strategies at home that would be the same as if the child was in the classroom.

What role do the parents/caregivers have in the conference?

The parents and the caregivers are a team in the child educational life and the two people must be able to come up with a system to help the child get to their potential needs.

How could you share results that may be perceived by the parents/caregivers as negative?

I would first state the progress of the child then I would announce the areas that may need work, I would never state a positive and negative it's never a negative it's always a progression.

Discussion

What strategies can you use to ensure that parents/caregivers feel welcome and comfortable at the beginning of the conference?

At the beginning of a conference you always want the parents to feel welcome to come in to talk to you in the classroom. As Koi's parents come into the room I will make sure that I have his folder of information ready on the table. I will then proceed to ask the parents how Koi is at home. How is his interaction with his brother's or sister's is his behavior different when he comes home from school? I would make sure that his parents know that this is a conference about the assessment of their child and that there is no labeling. I would then discuss a plan that we can come up with to help this child and so that we are both on the same page. Thank the parents for coming to the conference and always thank them for not assuming that we had the conference because stuff is going wrong.

What strategies can you use when sharing assessment information with the parents/caregivers? Why did you choose these strategies?

First I would make sure that I had all information ready for koi parents. I would plan out what I am going to say so that I don't come off as if I don't know what I am talking about. I would then start off by explaining to koi's parents what the (DIAL-4) is and how we score the child. I would then again tell them that this is all confidential. I would make sure that I present his parents with all the positive before having to explain his weakness in the areas he needs help in.

What method can you use to summarize the student's progress?

The method that I would use to best describe the students' progress would be the sandwich method. You always want to start but talking about the positive then move to the areas and concerns that you have for that child and then always make sure to end with more positive information. When talking to the parents you need to make sure that the parents never feel that you are bashing or labeling their child in anyway.

What role do the parents/caregivers have in the conference?

The role that the parents and caregivers have in a conference is to make sure that they keep the teacher updated with any information that would affect the child. They should be able to ask any question that pertains to their child. They should also be able to relay any information about the child at home such as the child behavior. They could also give the teacher some tips about what works best with their child and what the teacher should work on. They should also be able to ask about having better learning for that child and to make it a little more challenging for them.

How could you share results that may be perceived by the parents/caregivers as negative?

You always want to reinsure the parents that this is only an assessment of the child through our eyes and not a professional. You always want to make sure to tell them that if they would like a further assessment that they are welcome to seek a professional and you could give them recommendations. Always let the parents give their input and never tell them that they are wrong about their child. Make sure to be honest and take into consideration that it is their child and they have first say about any concerns.

Reference:

Wortham, S. C., Hardin, B. J. (02/2015). Assessment in Early Childhood Education, 7th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://kaplan.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781323290804/.