Talking to parents: facts and method

Three things in class: get them doing, surface misunderstanding, make feedback specific. Being eloquent is not the goal.

Task: Explaining a child's progress without sounding harsh.

[Before you start, do three things]
1. Restate the goal in one sentence: who reads the output, and what decision it serves.
2. If I have not given you the following, ask me. Do not assume:
   - specific behaviour with time and setting
   - what has been tried
   - parents' expectations
   - next goal
3. Say how you plan to do it (at most 5 steps) and wait for my go-ahead.

[Go through each of these]
- one concrete improvement, then one concrete issue
- never judge character or ability
- one thing to do at home
- agree the next feedback date

[Process]
1. Read the room before following the plan
2. Surface misunderstanding with questions
3. Feedback on behaviour and next step, never on the person
4. Separate tasks by level
5. Leave two minutes for their recap

[Output]
Reading the room, questions, feedback, tiers, close.

[Do not]
- Never embarrass anyone
- Never 'this is so simple'
- Do not skip practice to keep pace
- 'Any questions' is not interaction