Recommendations for organizing and holding parent meetings
1.Why are parent meetings needed?
Parent meetings are needed:
— to quickly obtain a variety of information about children. In this case, the class teacher needs to carefully think through and clearly formulate the questions to which he wants answers;
- as orientation, instructive meetings in case of changes in the life and activities of the class team, requirements for children, work hours, etc. At such meetings, you can find out the parents’ opinion on the issues brought up for the meeting;
— to familiarize parents with the analysis of academic performance, attendance, results of medical examinations, etc.
— as advisory services on career guidance, employment of children, employment in the additional education system, vacation programs.
- as an emergency, emergency in an acute conflict situation, an extremely difficult case with one of the children.
— as joint discussions with students on fundamental issues
- as meeting-lectures, psychological training, role-playing games on various topics and problems of education and training.
2.Organization and holding of parent meetings
Parent meeting: preparation and conduct
The parent meeting is the most important form of work between the class teacher and the student’s family, a means of increasing the efficiency of the educational process. However, in order for it to really fulfill its role, it must be properly prepared and carried out. Many parents complain that in modern educational institutions, at meetings, class teachers, forgetting about the variety of functions of the class teacher, discuss only organizational, logistical and technical issues.
Parent meetings shape not only the public opinion of parents, but also the parent team. In pedagogical practice, there are meetings at which conversations are held on educational topics, parent consultations, summaries, etc. The most effective parent meetings are of a combined type. They provide pedagogical education for parents, sum up the results of educational work over the past period, and outline new goals and objectives for the next period.
Parent meetings are held for the purpose of:
familiarizing parents with the content and organization of the educational process in the educational institution
psychological and pedagogical education, which can be expressed in informing parents about the characteristics of a specific age of children and the conditions for successful interaction with them, etc.;
involving parents in joint extracurricular activities with students (competitions, excursions, hikes, etc.);
joint resolution of organizational issues (food, duty, discipline, etc.).
The choice of the type and form of the parent meeting depends on its topic and goals.
Among the species
can be distinguished:
organizational (dedicated, for example, to the upcoming long excursion of children or preparation for a multi-day hike),
meetings according to the plan of psychological and pedagogical education (for example, a lecture with the participation of a psychologist on the conditions for successful communication with teenagers),
thematic,
debate meetings on current issues of the educational process,
finals (quarters), etc.
Topics of parent meetings
usually determined by teachers and can be discussed at the parent committee.
Parent meetings can also be divided into school-wide, parallel and class meetings.
School-wide parent-teacher meetings
They are usually held less often than classroom ones, once or twice a year, and then only if necessary. Fathers and mothers are introduced to the new statutory documents of the school, regulations in the field of education, the main directions, objectives and results of the work of the educational institution.
Meeting of parents of a certain parallel
can be held if it is necessary to discuss a major problem, an issue that concerns only students of these classes (for example, a meeting of parents of graduating classes, fathers and mothers of first-graders).
Classroom parent meetings
are organized several times a year, usually at the end of a quarter, trimester, half-year. At them, the most important tasks of educational work in a given class are discussed, educational work is planned, ways and methods of effective cooperation between family and school are determined, and the results of the work performed are summed up.
3. How do you begin preparing for a parent meeting?
From the definition of its subject matter. The required topics are often communicated by the administration, determined independently by teachers (class teacher, or subject teachers), and proposed by parents.
It is very important to consult with the children's parents regarding what issues and problems interest them.
Next, you should determine the form of the meeting and its content - perhaps even write a brief summary outlining the information that needs to be brought to the attention of parents.
Often, parent-teacher meetings are reduced to a monologue by the teacher, but parents should be actively involved in discussing educational and organizational problems. Meetings may be held in the form
lectures (as a lecturer - teacher, psychologist, doctor), discussions, work in groups to discuss the most important issues of work, etc. Most often, the traditional form of holding parent meetings is used - a speech by the class teacher followed by his answers to questions from parents.
Contents for the meeting
can be gleaned from psychological and pedagogical books, newspapers and magazines, communication with subject teachers, children, parents, and the administration of the educational institution.
You should agree in advance with the specialists who will help you hold the meeting - subject teachers, social educators, school psychologists, medical workers. It will be very good if you can involve parents in the preparation of the meeting. If the plans include a speech by parents, it is necessary to at least in general terms discuss the main points and directions of the speech.
Having decided on the topic, form and content of the meeting, it is necessary to prepare the means
– illustrations, documents (for example, magazines, regulatory documents - Charter of the educational institution, Student Rules). It is also important to set the time for the meeting and prepare the room for it, taking care of its cleanliness, ventilation and provision of seats for all participants.
Information about the time and place of the meeting.
It is required to notify parents in advance of the date, time and location of the meeting. This will allow them to adjust their plans and find time to visit him. You can notify parents, for example, using the notification form below. In a few days the child will have to bring a notice to the teacher signed by the parents.
Keynote speech at the meeting
should not take much time - in the evening after work, most parents are unlikely to adequately perceive it.
It is necessary to have a clear plan for holding the meeting
- after the speech, allocate time for questions from parents and discussion of other topics. It is advisable to inform their parents about the pranks of individual students individually (for example, in a conversation after a general meeting).
In order for parents to be good helpers from the very beginning, they must be actively involved in solving current issues of the educational process and involved in extracurricular activities together with their children. Parental committee
, elected at parent meetings, is an important support for the class teacher. Members of the parent committee will help the teacher resolve many questions. At the meeting, after discussing organizational issues (meals, financial and material aspects of organizing extracurricular activities, preparing for exams, graduation, etc.), it is necessary to immediately determine the degree and forms of parental participation in solving these problems.
The teacher should not forget that the parent meeting, at which a personal meeting of the class teacher with the parents of his charges takes place, is an important means of forming the opinion of fathers and mothers about the school and the teachers to whom they entrust their child. You should carefully prepare for the meeting, thoroughly thinking through its methodology and content.
4. Methodological recommendations for preparing and holding parent meetings
1. A meeting is organized once a month or quarter, depending on the age of the children and the characteristics of the class. The meeting must begin at a strictly established time. Parents get used to this requirement and try to adhere to it. The maximum duration of a meeting is 1-1.5 hours.
2. The effectiveness of the parent meeting largely depends on the focus, thoughtfulness and thoroughness of the preparatory work of the teacher and members of the parent committee.
3. The main elements of preparing a meeting of parents include the following:
a) choosing the topic of the meeting.
b) determining the goals of the parent meeting.
c) study by the class teacher and other organizers of the collection of scientific and methodological literature on the problem under consideration.
d) conducting a micro-study in the community of children and parents.
e) determining the type, form, stages of the parent meeting, methods and techniques for the joint work of its participants.
d) inviting parents and other meeting participants.
g) development of the meeting’s decision, its recommendations, and instructions to parents.
h) equipment and design of the venue for the parent meeting.
Approximate structure of a parent meeting
1. Opening speech by the class teacher (introduction of guests) (5 min).
2. Analysis of parent questionnaires (by class teacher, psychologist, teacher) in order to more clearly present the problem discussed at the meeting (5-7 min).
3. Speech on the topic of the meeting (by a specialist or class teacher). It should be bright, concise, accessible (10-15 minutes).
4. Discussion of the problem by parents (20 min).
5. Analysis by the class teacher of class performance. You need to start only with positive results. You should never call lagging, undisciplined children by their last names, do not “brand them with shame.” The analysis should express confidence that working together will improve the situation.
6. In the final part of the meeting, the class teacher thanks the parents for their participation and joint work. Offers to take a memo about the last meeting. Asks those parents whose children have learning or behavior problems to stay for a moment to find out the causes of these problems and find a solution together.
Memo for parents
Commandments of reasonable education
1. Never raise in a bad mood.
2. Be clear about what you want from your child (and explain it to him), and also find out what he thinks about it.
3. Give your child independence, do not control his every step.
4. Do not suggest a ready-made solution, but suggest possible paths to it and discuss with the child his correct and false paths to the goal.
5. Don't miss the moment when you achieve your first success.
6. Point out to the child the mistake he made and try to make him realize it.
7. Evaluate the action, not the person. The essence of a person and his individual actions are not the same thing.
8. Let your child feel (smile, touch) that you sympathize with him, believe in him, despite his mistake.
9. Education is a sequence of goals.
10. The teacher must be firm, but kind.
How can a teacher organize a conversation with parents?
1. Responsibility for the success or failure of the meeting lies with the teacher.
2. The meeting must be organized in such a way that there are no interruptions.
3. Mutual understanding will improve faster if the teacher does not sit at the table. For, sitting at the table, he puts himself in the position of a superior, not a partner.
4. A calm, friendly opening statement from the teacher is important.
5. You need to ask the parent to speak out and listen carefully.
6. You need to find out what the parent thinks about his child and how he perceives him. A teacher cannot understand a child's behavior before he understands the parent's attitude towards him.
7. If a parent proposes his own plan of action, you need to accept it and do everything possible to implement it. This is better than imposing the teacher's opinion on the parent.
8. Don't argue with your parents. Arguing can cause resentment and alienation.
9. Let any decision be the result of mutual reflection and be a guide to action on the part of the parents.
10. Try to “feel the hurt strings” of your parents and do not offend them.
11. Accept everything your parents say without expressing surprise or disapproval.
Preparing the meeting
1. Determine the topic, main problem and main objectives of the meeting.
2. Clarify the rules, think over the course of the meeting.
3. Send respectful invitations to parents indicating the issues to be brought up for the meeting.
4. Think about where parents will leave their outerwear, who will meet them at the school and how.
5. Think over exhibition or information material.
6. Determine which teachers - subject specialists or other specialists - can be invited.
7. Thinking over your appearance is an important detail: after all, every time a meeting is an event and a little bit of a holiday.
Rules of conduct for class teachers at parent meetings
1. Relieve tension, anxiety, anticipation of an unpleasant conversation.
2. Let your parents feel your respect and attention to them.
3. Make it clear that the school and family have the same problems, the same tasks, the same children.
4. Suggest how to find ways out of problematic situations. Look for these paths together.
5. Try to understand your parents, put yourself in their place.
6. Be able to talk with parents calmly, respectfully, kindly, and interestedly. It is important that parents of both good students and underperforming or deviant children leave the meeting with faith in their child.
Some secrets to a successful parent meeting
1. Arrange tables and chairs in a circle: everyone can see and hear each other well.
2. Prepare business cards with the names of the parents, especially if they do not know each other yet.
3. Use the form of conversation over a cup of tea.
4. Identify one of the most difficult conversation problems and build a meeting around it.
5. Strictly define the rules of the meeting. Save parents' time.
6. Skillfully determine the day and hour of the parent meeting (when there are no important events or situations, interesting TV shows, etc.).
7. Come up with your own simple rules for parent meetings and bring them to the attention of parents, for example: it is mandatory to remove outer clothing; do not remain silent; rejecting a proposal, make a counter proposal; remain silent when someone speaks; Call each other by first name and patronymic, and not “Katya’s mother...”.
8. Use group forms of parent work and game elements.
9. Rely on experience and opinions of authoritative parents.
10. It is advisable to end the meeting with a concrete decision.
Note to the teacher
1. The parent meeting should educate parents, and not state the mistakes and failures of children in their studies.
2. The theme of the meeting is developed taking into account the age characteristics of the children.
3. The meeting should be both theoretical and practical in nature: analysis of situations, training exercises, discussions, etc.
Note to parents
A favorable psychological atmosphere is associated with communication that is not a burden to any of the family members. And in order for your family’s barometer to always show good weather, try to master the following skills:
1. “Keep a smile” (because your face is your calling card).
2. Pay attention to others (the happiness of the family depends on your knowledge of your family).
3. Listen to what others say (because it is difficult to talk to deaf people).
4. Say “no” without offending (diplomacy is also needed in the family).
5. Do not enter into conflicts (note that the best way to get out of a conflict is not to enter into it).
6. Encourage others (life is easier for optimists).
7. Give compliments (note that even a deaf person will hear a compliment).
Approximate provision for a class parent meeting
1. General Provisions
The class parent meeting - the highest body of self-government of parents in the class - is convened as necessary, but at least once per academic quarter.
2. Class parent meeting
2.1. Determines the main directions of parents’ activities in the class, forms of interaction with teachers, the class teacher, self-government bodies of class students, and the class council.
2.2. Elects the class parent committee and delegates to the school parent conference.
2.3. Considers issues related to the implementation of decisions of self-government bodies.
2.4. Resolves issues of parental participation in managing the life of the class, discusses draft school documents and expresses his thoughts on them.
2.5. Listens to reports and information about the work of the class parent committee, its commissions and evaluates them.
2.6. Discusses parents' suggestions for improving the educational process in the classroom.
2.7. Considers issues of organizing pedagogical self-education for parents.
2.8. Approves the procedure for providing material and financial assistance to families in need, decides to create a financial fund to pay for additional educational services of teachers and attracted specialists,
2.9. Takes measures to stimulate the social work of parents in an educational institution.
3. Rules for holding meetings
3.1. The class teacher is obliged to thoroughly think through and prepare all the necessary information and documents for the meeting.
3.2. Each meeting requires its own “scenario” and the most accessible settings, recommendations and advice.
3.3. The main method of conducting a meeting is dialogue.
3.4. Parents are invited to the meeting and notified of the agenda no later than three days before the date of the meeting.
3.5. The school administration must be informed of the date and agenda at least four days before the meeting.
3.6. Subject teachers must attend the parent meeting at the invitation of the class teacher.
3.7. The class teacher must formulate the purpose of inviting subject teachers to the meeting.
3.8. The class teacher decides organizational issues on the eve of the meeting (place of storage of outerwear, organization of the meeting, preparation of the office),
3.9. The class teacher informs the deputy director for education, VR about the results of the parent meeting, about the questions and problems raised by parents at the meeting, the next day after the meeting.
4. Principles for holding parent meetings
4.1. A parent meeting is not just a form of communication between family and school, it is a place for receiving important pedagogical information, a platform for promoting better work experience and relationships with children.
4.2. Parents at the meeting should feel respect for themselves and be confident that there will be no tactless conversations.
4.3. The family and school have the same problems and concerns - these are the problems of children and caring for children. The purpose of meetings between parents and teachers is to look for joint ways to solve them.
5. Topics of parent meetings and their brief description
To help, there are several topics for parent meetings, with teaching materials and recommendations.
Topic: “A child learns from what he sees in his home”
The form of the meeting is “round table”
Meeting plan.
1. Introductory speech by the teacher.
2. Analysis of parents' questionnaires.
3. Analysis of schoolchildren's questionnaires.
4. Free discussion on the questions: “What does home mean to a person? What do people especially value in their home? We, our children and our home. Communication and leisure time with children. Family traditions and holidays."
5. Exchange of experience in holding family holidays.
Topic: “Cultivating hard work in the family. How to raise an assistant?
Meeting plan.
1. A tour of the exhibition of children's (family) crafts and familiarization with fragments of schoolchildren's essays.
2. Teacher’s conversation about the importance of work in the family.
3. Analysis of questionnaires of parents and schoolchildren.
4. Free discussion on the topic “Labor traditions and labor education in the family.”
5. Acceptance of recommendations.
6. Summing up the meeting.
Topic: “Reward and Punishment”
Meeting plan.
1. Pedagogical situations from the life of the class.
2. The teacher’s message about the importance of reward and punishment methods in raising children.
3. Discussion and analysis of pedagogical situations.
4. Conversation on the questionnaire.
5. Talk about incentives.
6. Summing up.
Organizing parent-teacher meetings in elementary schools.
Round table.
A round table is, in essence, a meeting-conversation at which opinions are exchanged on special issues with the participation of various specialists. To justify this form of holding a meeting, meeting participants may be seated at a round table. Psychologists, social educators, a doctor, a speech therapist, representatives of the parent and teaching community, and school administration can be invited to the parent meeting, held in the form of a round table. This form of meeting allows you to discuss any pressing issues and find out the opinions of all meeting participants.
Meeting – conference.
Meeting-conference is an extended parent meeting. The conference is held with the participation of representatives of various organizations (children's clinic, commission for minors, counseling psychological centers, state traffic police, etc.) of interest to parents, school administration, psychologists, social educators. Parents have the opportunity to hear competent answers from professionals.
The peculiarity of the meeting-conference is that it makes certain decisions and can determine a set of measures to implement the decisions.
At parent meetings and conferences, the problems of society, of which students will become active members, are most often discussed. These could be problems of drunkenness and drugs, sex education in the family, problems of religion in society and its role in educating the younger generation, and others.
Parent conferences should be prepared thoroughly, with the mandatory involvement of conference participants. You can first conduct sociological or psychological research on the conference problem and analyze it, and then use the research results when holding the conference. Parents, as active participants in conferences, can also prepare an analysis of the problem from the perspective of their own experience.
Press conference.
A press conference is an officially convened meeting of representatives of the press: print, radio, television to report any information or answer questions. Why not organize a meeting of the editorial board of the school newspaper, school radio album with participation in the presence of parents to prepare school news releases? Or not interview specialists of interest to parents through the school “press”?
Meeting-seminar (workshop)
Seminar – group practical classes under the guidance of a teacher. At a parent meeting, held in the form of a seminar, the teacher acts as a teacher, and parents act as students who collectively try to solve a particular problem in a practical way. Conducting a parent meeting in the form of a seminar requires preliminary “theoretical” work with parents. It is advisable to give parents information materials to familiarize themselves with so that at the meeting they can not only discuss ways to solve the problem, but also learn how to apply the information received in practice.
