Preparing for the Parent/Teacher Conference

By Michele Blandino

The parent/teacher conference is one of the most commonly used tools for fostering communication between a child’s school and home. While the frequency with which these conferences are conducted may vary from school to school, they are generally held sometime during the first quarter of the new school year and then perhaps again in the third quarter.

While the importance of the parent/teacher conference cannot be overstated, it is particularly so for parents who don’t have regular contact with their child’s teacher. This meeting provides the opportunity for teachers to discuss the child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide valuable advice for helping the child succeed. It also gives parents the chance to ask questions about the curriculum and to get a first-hand look at the classroom where their child spends their day.

In order to get the most from the parent/teacher conference, parents should keep the following in mind:

• Prepare – Because these time allotted for the conference is generally short, it is easy to lose track of your thoughts. To ensure you cover the topics that concern you most, write them down in the order of importance. This will help you to keep the conversation on track and enable you to focus on the areas you think are most important. If there are things you want the teacher to be aware of – perhaps a separation, divorce or serious illness in your family that might be distracting your child – now is the time to share that information. Finally, if you are unclear about a particular classroom procedure, now is the time to ask.
• Gather Input – Ask your child if there is anything they would like you to discuss. While there are some things that may not be appropriate –for example, a request for less homework – perhaps there is something about the classroom environment that is bothering your child such as their seat assignment. While it’s generally a good idea to have your children speak for themselves, if it is early in the school year, they may be reluctant to do so.
• Take Notes – It’s likely that the teacher will provide a lot of information during the course of your meeting. If you are concerned that you might forget something, don’t hesitate to take notes. However, don’t become so distracted by your note-taking that you don’t attentively listen to what the teacher is saying.
• Finally, arrive on time – even a few minutes early – for your appointment. Because the conferences are generally scheduled back-to-back, there will be little room for extending the length of your meeting. If time runs out before you have finished everything on your list, ask if you can schedule a follow-up meeting. Most teachers will be willing to honor this request.

Remember, your child’s teacher is an important figure in their life. Taking the time to communicate with the teacher will show your child that you value their education and that you are willing to help them succeed.