Top Tips for successful parent-teacher conferences - the parent edition
November where I live means two things - tons of no-school days and parent-teacher conferences.
My kids love what we affectionately call “No School-vember”. They could care less, however, about the parent-teacher conference part of the month. But as a parent, they are pretty valuable, so I’m sharing some strategies to get the most out of those meetings.
Every parent can benefit, but If your child is struggling at school, parent teacher conferences can be worth their weight in gold. The conference time goes really fast and teachers often have information they have to cover. Best to be prepared to make the most of limited time.
We only get 20 minutes here - eek!
How can you make parent-teacher conferences more successful?
Here are my top tips:
Talk to your child in advance.
Has your child told you tidbits about what’s happening in the classroom but you don’t have a full picture? Now’s the time to calmly ask for their perspective without judgment. **Check below for bonus pre-conference questions to ask your child.
Bring your child to the conference if it works for everyone - including the child.
Sure it’s ideal for students to be actively involved in the process (and your school may have that as a standard). But, if it makes your child anxious, dysregulated, or otherwise just uncomfortable to talk about their challenges, it’s OK for parents to take it on solo.
Prepare a list of questions and comments for teachers.
Do you have specific concerns? How are they meeting the expectations and standards for their age/grade? What are you noticing at home that the teacher might want to know about?
If the teacher brings up concerns, be prepared to ask follow-up questions.
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or follow up. What resources are available to help your student both from the teacher and the school? What would they recommend you do at home to offer support on these specific things? How can you follow up on your student’s progress or to get more info?
Expect positive information too!
Even a student who struggles in the classroom has many great qualities and deserves to be celebrated. If the teacher focuses on the negative, it’s OK to ask for examples of good stuff too. What has my student been doing well? What are my student’s strengths?
Be thoughtful and thankful.
Your conference is just one of many those teachers will hold (back to back - so exhausting!). A little patience, some positive feedback, and a thank you will go a long way. Follow up later or ask for an additional meeting if you run out of time to cover everything.
**Bonus: Pre-conference questions to ask your student:
What do you feel proud of about your work at school?
What are some specific challenges you’re having in class? With other students?
Is there anything you wish your teacher knew or understood about you?
What subjects do you feel most confident about? Why?
What subjects feel more difficult for you? Do you know why they feel harder?
PS - One final bonus tip (I love bonuses!): If you’re meeting in person, bring a small treat or beverage for the teacher. A delicious chocolate or a latte can brighten the day of any teacher, but the gesture goes even further on long conference days. Show the teacher you appreciate their time and effort.
