Communication involves speaking, listening, reflecting feelings, and interpreting messages which are decoded and filtered through past experiences. There are forms of one-way communication like lectures that have pros of being efficient but lack feedback, while two-way communication is essential for discussions and understanding through feedback. Barriers to communication can be created by parents and schools, but listening skills and reflective techniques help understand each other better through rephrasing, reframing, and asking questions to clarify misunderstandings. Preparing well for parent-teacher conferences by collecting student materials allows improving understanding through various stages of communication.

2. What are some of the forms of one-way communication? List pros and cons. What are some forms of two-way communication? Why is two-way communication essential?

3. What roadblocks to communication do parents create?

4. What are some of the roadblocks posed by schools?

5. Listening is essential for good communication. What are steps that will help you listen better?

6. What makes a response open? What makes it closed?

7. Describe reflective listening. What are the three steps to reflective listening?

8. Describe rephrasing. What positive effects can result from rephrasing?

9. Describe reframing. How can misunderstandings be avoided through the use of reframing?

10. What are Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.), Active Parenting, and the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) programs?

11. Describe effective communication during parent-teacher conferences. Why is it important to use understandable language? What are some questions that parents might want to ask during a parent-teacher conference? How would you prepare for parent-teacher conferences? What materials would you collect?

12. What are the five stages to improve parent-teacher conferences?