Preparing for fall conferences

At Lincoln Park Cooperative Nursery School, we are excited to begin our parent-teacher conferences next week. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen our partnership with you as we work together to support your child's growth and development. Our goal is to engage in a meaningful conversation, where we share observations and explore questions that will guide us in setting goals for your child in the upcoming school year.

Preparation
Before your scheduled conference, we encourage you to reflect on the following points:

• How is your child's experience at school so far this year? Depending on the program and your child's personality, this might encompass thoughts about separation, what your child shares about school at home, and any potential impacts on their behavior at home.
• Your aspirations for your child's school experience this year.
• ​Any relevant information about your child's life at home that you believe would be important for our teachers to know.

What to Expect from Teachers
During the conference, our dedicated teachers will share their insights, including:

• Observations regarding your child's school adjustment.
• Details about the classroom environment, including what your child enjoys and any challenges they may be encountering.
• ​​​Results from the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
• Suggested goals for the upcoming school year.

Setting Goals
As you prepare for the conference, consider potential goals related to your child's:

• Approaches to learning, such as their curiosity, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Engagement in dramatic play, which fosters perspective-taking, focus, and attention.
• Exploratory play, where children discover how various materials work, promoting creativity and problem-solving.
• Physical and motor development, encompassing both gross motor skills and fine motor skills.
• Print awareness, helping children understand how print functions and its connection to stories and reading.
• Self-regulation, which involves managing emotions and actions effectively.
• Social and emotional development, where children learn about their feelings, build a strong sense of self, and understand the emotions of others.
• Building autonomy, which allows children to act and think independently by internalizing routines and communicating their needs effectively.

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This list is not exhaustive and we invite you to provide your own insights. We are eager to hear your thoughts on other meaningful goals for your child's school experience. We look forward to engaging in these important conversations with you.