Parents Evening - top tips for making the most of 10 minute slot!?

[bluegiraffe]

Hi

We have our first parent's evening at DD's new school tomorrow (YrR). Nervous laugh!

I know I will just go blank and feel a bit OTT if I start referring to my 'list of questions' (even though I am going to make one!) and will have to bite my tongue not to get defensive when they mention any 'problem' areas.

Does anyone have any top tips for making the most of our 10 minute slot with DD's teacher??

I really want to make sure I am on the same page as her and that i'll leave knowing how she's settled/getting on and feeling more able to help DD as much as possible outside of school in line with what she is learning/how she is progressing (as we get pretty much 'nada' out of DD with regards to what she's done all day ..!!)

thanks in anticipation!

i think if you have areas of concern, then write a list, otherwise just go and have a chat. the first parent's evening in yr r is usally just about how they are settling in, and any brief assessments they may have made wrt pre-reading/ reading skills.
i don't think there'll be any heavyweight discussion of 'problems'.
not unless you are aware that dd has real and obvious behaviour difficulties etc?
i bet they say 'oh, she's doing very well'.

that said, our 15 minute meeting with ds1's teacher lasted an hour and a quarter. not yr r though.

My only advice would be to listen to what the teacher says about her and let her finish before you start talking too much. Get the measure of teacher first.
Teachers always ask if you've any concerns before they start but just say no.

• Listen carefully to what the teacher has to say first.

• Identify any key questions that you really must have answers to and ask them at the end if they haven't been answered already.

• If it appears that there are issues that need longer to discuss than the 10 minutes available, say 'I can see that these things might need a longer discussion - could I make an appointment for another time?'

• If the conversation all seesm to be about what you can do to support your child at home, do turn the conversation back 'So what is it you are doing to support him / her in school'. It's a partnership but you need to come away feeling that the school are doing their bit!