Three times a year Milestones’ educators complete a Progress Record to assess your child’s learning progress in relation to key developmental areas. After completing a Progress Record, we work with families to form goals specific to the child’s leaning, and the best time to do this is at a Parent Teacher Interview. These meetings offer a crucial bridge between home and early education, playing a pivotal role in shaping a child’s educational journey and overall development. Read on as we explain the importance of a Parent Teacher Interview and what it entails in a child care or early education setting.
What is a Parent Teacher Interview?
The primary aim of a Parent Teacher Interview at Milestones is to establish a constructive dialogue between the home and the early learning centre. This communication ensures that both parties are informed and aligned in their efforts to support the child’s learning and development journey. They are typically brief, lasting around 10-20 minutes, and will review your child’s Progress Record, identify areas they enjoy, challenges and set goals for future learning.
Why are Parent Teacher Interviews important?
Parent Teacher Interviews are important because they:
- Foster a collaborative partnership between parents and educators, essential for creating a supportive and cohesive learning environment for the child.
- Provide a platform for educators to share personalised insights into a child’s learning and development progress, providing parents with a clear understanding of where their child is extending, exploring, or emerging.
- Enable parents to learn about any concerns the educator may have observed, such as difficulties with particular subjects, social challenges, or signs of emotional distress. Addressing these issues early can prevent them from escalating and affecting the child’s overall wellbeing and academic success.
- Help educators set realistic and achievable goals for children, that factor in the child’s interest too. They can also highlight areas where the child excels, encouraging parents to nurture and support these interests further.
- May also boost your child’s educational success and their motivation towards learning.
- Provide teachers with valuable insights into the child’s home environment, interests, and challenges outside of school. This holistic understanding allows teachers to tailor their teaching strategies to better meet the needs of each student.
- Offer an opportunity to clarify any doubts, ask questions, and address concerns directly. This open communication ensures that both parties are on the same page and working towards the child’s best interests.
- They are also a time to celebrate achievements and progress. Positive feedback and recognition of a child’s hard work can be immensely motivating and reassuring for both the child and the parents. Celebrating successes, no matter how small, fosters a positive attitude towards learning and the early learning centre.
How to book a Parent Teacher Interview at Milestones
Speak to your Centre Manager to book your one on one Parent Teacher Interview. They take place three times a year, and we will announce when via communications in the centre, on Facebook and on Storypark.