This book helps teachers gain confidence and build sensitivity when interacting with caregivers and families who speak different languages and may come from different cultural, racial, and social backgrounds. By presenting various scenarios, the authors invite readers to reflect on issues they will face as practicing teachers in classrooms and…

Key ingredients to successful parent meetings include planning with parents and including the children; assessing parents' needs and interests; planning the details of the meeting, such as meeting place, transportation, child care arrangements, and refreshments and activities; and planning the key elements of the meeting, such as presentations and…

Discusses how teachers can effectively begin and lead discussion groups for parents of young children. Needs for and characteristics of parent guidance groups are indicated, aspects of the role of the group leader are specified, and ways to begin a parent guidance group are suggested. In conclusion, common concerns of parents are described.…

Recognizing the critical importance of parent involvement in early education, this textbook presents a variety of strategies and techniques for parent involvement in early childhood education programs. Chapters in the first part of the book focus on specific issues and challenges in implementing parent involvement. Chapter 1 examines the need for…

Suggestions are offered to teachers for strengthening the value of parent conferences. (MM)

This article shares a bevy of ways to make parent meetings successful--in a meaningful way. It presents some guidelines to keep in mind when planning parent meetings: (1) survey parents on what they want to learn about or discuss regarding childrearing or family life; (2) include parents in planning meetings; (3) find motivating ways to get…

Notes that two roles teachers assume that often cause tension and hard feelings are those of family therapist and parent expert. Discusses how teachers share in children's development, how to recognize emotional or difficult situations with parents, and how teachers can help parents find the help they need without adopting those helping roles…

Examines the nature of the relationship between educators and parents of children in public schools, focusing on minority families. Discusses the need for flexibility and adaptability, the value of informal assessment, effective joint parent-teacher problem solving, and family differences and support. Provides options for improving communication…

Uses a psychoanalytic approach to examine effective ways to articulate concerns to parents about their child's difficulties. Presents methods for developing trusting relationships, planning prior to the conference, conducting the parent-teacher conference and post-conference follow-up, and meeting teachers' concerns. Describes two situations in…

Provides guidelines for educators to prepare for potentially difficult parent conferences and to conduct them to a successful conclusion. Suggestions include anticipating concerns, accentuating the positive, listening to parents, being truthful, being firm, being polite, offering solutions and assistance, asking for suggestions, admitting…

This is the fourth in a series of six monographs developed to help local educators use and report Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test results. Sharing MEAP test reports with parents gives them information on their child's basic skills and generates parent involvement and support for the school. This sharing should be addressed on…

The role of the classroom teacher in the success of parent and community involvement efforts in American public schools is this document's focus. Because schools need to discover new ways to foster parental and community involvement in education, this document outlines a new perspective concerning parental and community involvement that…

This monograph is a guide to teen development and the world of 11-18 year olds in contemporary America. It provides practical suggestions to parents and other concerned adults as they guide children through adolescence. The 12 chapters are: (1) "Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds"; (2) "Teens, Families, and Schools"; (3) "Teens…