Preparation is the key
1. time, place, participant
You will never be able to accommodate all families and their time needs. But thoughtful planning that addresses the needs of the target group will increase your chances of a well-attended parents' evening. This includes:
- setting the date and duration,
- setting the number of participants,
- finding a suitable venue,
- the right room set-up.
Take a look at our Top 5 Tips for a Successful Parents' Evening, you can find the document in the resources on the right.
2. room design and technology
A successful parents' evening often depends on the environment. In the document Room Design we give answers to basic questions: How do I arrange the chairs? What technology is available and what do I need to bring with me? We show which points you should consider early on in your planning.
3. choice of topic and invitation
Whether parents attend a parents' evening depends largely on the way in which the event is invited. Therefore, pay special attention to the invitation. We collected tips in the document Choice of Topic and Invitation. We suggest you use our template for the invitation letter at the end of each themed course.
For a summary and overall view of what you have just learnt, please see the webpage Parents' Evenings - Everything you need to prepare.
Your role as a speaker
1. be yourself and inspire others
For a successful parents' evening, it is crucial to take a closer look at your role as a speaker. Be aware of your role and responsibility as a mediator of knowledge, entertainer, moderator and mediator of conflicts. Be sure to remain authentic and honest!
The video How to be a good teaching professor addresses primarily teachers - but just replace students with listeners at the parents' evening, the basic principles remain the same: take care of the participants, use examples from everyday life and incorporate your own experiences. Also, show your enthusiasm for the topic. Factors that also guarantee success for you as a speaker. It's all about you and your charisma!
2. presentation and communication
Have you ever presented in front of a group or moderated an event? If so, you know how difficult it can sometimes be to keep the participants of the event interested. The Video Train the Trainer - Essential Tips to Impart Training provides techniques.
The way you communicate has a decisive influence on a successful exchange. The video Active Listening: How To Communicate Effectively is about appreciative and positive communication. Watch the video and find your communication style.
Culturally open and integrative - communicating at eye level
Be aware that different characters, cultures and educational styles meet at parents' evenings. See the parents' evening as an exchange and actively ask to discuss different parenting styles and views. Be open and don't be afraid to admit that you don't know everything. The video Teaching Students from Different Cultural Backgrounds looks at the opportunities for exposure, education and empathy and gives good ideas on how we can work on our cultural attitudes.
How about making a public event?
Why not. After all, your topic is not only relevant for the parents of a certain class. Invite parents from different schools and hold a public parents' evening. Publicity for this event is essential. For tips on how to promote your event to the public, watch the video Event Marketing. How to fill your local live event. Press releases, newsletters, invitations to schools and associations - draw attention to yourself and your event and use various channels for this, for example our MediaParent consultant database. Complete this and another MediaParents course, successfully take the test and get listed on our map to be found as a MediaParet consultant. Share your knowledge and experience and let's teach media literacy together!
