Autumn is here, so it must be time for parent teacher conferences.  For some of you this is the first time with this age old tradition.  This blog it to help guide you through the meeting.  So what is a parent teacher conference?  A parent teacher conference is a meeting or conference between parents and teachers of students to discuss a child’s progress at school.  Solutions to academic or behavioral situations are also shared.  

It is widely agreed among educators, that attending a parent teacher conference is extremely important.  Studies have shown that children do better in school when parents are involved in their children’s academic lives.  Attending a parent teacher conference is a way to be involved and help your child succeed.  This is a great opportunity to start or continue an ongoing conversation with your child’s teacher.

During our meeting we will guide you through our process for tracking your child's progress.  Montessori schools do not give grades.  Your child will go through 3 phases.  First a job will be introduced.  The second phase will be when the job will be worked on.  The last phase is when the job has been mastered.  Each job has many extensions.  This promotes critical thinking.  As your child’s cognitive development increases, the complexity of the extension will also increase.  

Just before your meeting we suggest that you take some time to write down any questions that you may have.  These questions will help you assess how your child is doing at school.  If this is your first conference let me suggest some of the following questions:

1. How is my child doing academically, socially and behaviorally?
2. What is my child’s strongest and weakest areas?
3. What can we do at home to help?  (Suggested readings: “Montessori in the Home” and the “ Pink What?”)
4. How can I encourage my child’s independence, concentration, coordination,concentration and order?
5. How does my child get along with other children?  Who does my child play with?  Is there a child you think might be a good friend for him/her that he/she does not play with?
6. How does my child behave around adults?  Is he/she polite and respectful?
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Is there anything at school that we can help with?  For example:  Sharing our hobbies and interests, reading to the children, volunteering for field trips, cutting paper.  

Global Village Montessori Preschool, with locations in Pleasanton and Milpitas, provides high quality Montessori education for children aged 2 - 6 years. We have a balanced curriculum, inspired teachers and an inviting physical space leading to happy children. We like to make learning fun and hands-on in our preschool.

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