Parent's meetings

[Twistedheartache]

DD1 is in reception.
Letter from school says children are invited to 10 min appt to help to lead the discussion to support your child to have an understanding of their strengths & areas that they need to develop.

I can see the logic of children being involved when they're older but not sure it's beneficial at 4.7. Am inclined to think that 10 min will be better spent 1:1 with teacher

Was wondering what others thoughts/experiences on this were?

I'd be happy for DD there, if either we or the teacher had concerns significant enough to raise 1:1, then I'd expect to raise them outside parent evenings.

I agree with fredfredgeorgejnrsnr .

At our school most parents bring children with them, and I did for last 3 years.
It was quite good, because hearing positive things make a child confident, and minor negatives can be talked about in the positive way as well.

If there's a serious issue, it shouldn't be talked about in 10 minutes(or whatever) short slot.

In primary my children have always waited outside the classroom with colouring/book. I want to be able to say things like 'is her speech holding her back' or 'how behind is her spelling' without my child hearing. I don't want everything couched in a 'child friendly' manner I want to hear/say it like it is.

I had my 10 min slot last night. My daughter is almost 5, and in Reception. DH wasn't able to attend. The school letter said children are encouraged to attend.

My daughter was a nightmare: constantly asking about things, showing us shells, generally wanting to interact, where it was clear that both the teacher and I would have found it easier without her.

There were no major 'issues' raised from either side, but we'd have been able to cover much more material more effectively without 1) trying to be subtle with wording, and b) having to answer her questions or try to distract her with offer of the sandpit etc.

Our school letter specifically said that children were not to be left unattended in corridors or the playground. The meeting was in the classroom rather than in a hall.

I could have arranged for someone to look after her (though it would have been a bit difficult) but felt it might be 'wrong' to turn up without her, given the emphasis on child participation in the school letter. In my view the reception teacher could/should have made it clear that it'd be more productive without the Reception child.

Based on my experience, I'd try to attend without your child if at all possible.

It depends. If this is one with the child then one in the Spring without then I think that would be fine. I wouldn't want all of them to be with the child. As others have said it's much easier to express concerns without them listening-whether it's academic or social.

I'd go without dd if at all possible. I took mine in in Y1, it was the least useful parents meeting ever. Teacher was in teaching mode, dd was talking and talking about classroom displays etc. As soon as the teacher said "we're working at our times tables" dd would start to demonstrate... Utterly pointless meeting. I won't take her again unless I'm told I must, so if we have no childcare one of us stays home, the other goes to the meeting.

It's easier to talk freely, ask where she's at, you're not likely to hear "she's behind in reading/ average in numeracy" in front of her, teacher would say "working at reading/ numeracy", it's crap to have to translate.

Thanks all - just waiting to hear what time my slot is. Hopefully I can just leave her in after school club and get her afterwards

I totally agree with you OP, but I suppose at least it means you don't have to get anyone to look after them.