It’s that time of year again – Parent-Teacher Conference Season! These conferences provide the perfect opportunity for parents and teachers to maintain an ongoing dialogue.
Caroline Carrello, a Possip intern majoring in Human and Organization Development at Vanderbilt University, compiled tips for families for effective Parent-Teacher conferences.
Conferences are your time to discuss your child’s academic performance and well-being at school. This allows you to stay informed, express concerns, and collaborate with teachers in nurturing your child’s growth, all while forging a strong connection between home and school.
Here are some tips for before, during, and after your conference to make the most of your time with your child’s teacher(s)!
Before Your Conference
- Be in the know: Determine the conference dates.
- Be proactive: If conferences are not scheduled by the school or teacher, contact your child’s teacher and request a conference.
- Review your child’s work: Go through your child’s recent assignments, tests, and homework to understand their academic progress and any areas where they may be struggling.
- Communicate with your child: Talk to your child about the upcoming conference and ask for their input on any concerns or questions. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about school.
- Formulate questions: Think about what is most important to you and what you could use help with from another adult who knows your child in a different context than you do. We came up with some questions to help get you started!
- 10 Questions to Consider:
- 1. How is my child doing academically?
- 2. What are my child’s strengths in the classroom, and where do they need improvement?
- 10 Questions to Consider:
