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Preparing for parent-teacher
conferences
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[FEB. 1, 2005]
Q: We have
parent-teacher conferences coming up soon at my daughter's school. I
know she's not an A student, but I think my daughter does her best.
What does the teacher expect from me? Do you have any suggestions on
how I can make the most of this meeting? |
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A:
First of all, don't panic. Parent-teacher conferences are an
excellent time for you to learn more about your daughter's strengths
and weaknesses. You can expect that the teacher will also be eager
to learn important things about your child from you. The key to a
successful conference is two-way communication. By exchanging
information, you will be better able to work together to help your
daughter succeed in school.
To get the most out of this
conference, it will help for you to do some preparation.
Questions
to ask yourself before the conference:
- What are the things I want to be
sure the teacher knows about my child? You might share her
favorite subjects, after-school activities, medical needs or
difficulties in school.
- Is there anything happening at
home that might affect my daughter's behavior in school? Any
change in your family -- from a birth to a death -- may affect
your daughter's school performance.
- What is the most important thing
I want to learn from this conference? Write this down and take it
with you as a reminder.
Questions
to ask your child before the conference:
- What is your favorite subject at
school?
- What's your least favorite? If
your daughter tells you she doesn't understand math homework, for
example, share that information with her teacher.
- What would you like me to tell
your teacher? Your daughter's insights into her performance in
school can give you and her teacher an idea of how to help her do
better.
[to top of second column in this article]
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 Questions
to ask your child's teacher during the conference:
- What are my daughter's best and
worst subjects?
- Has my daughter missed any
classes other than the ones I contacted the school about?
- Have you noticed any sudden
changes in the way my daughter acts in school?
- How are my daughter's work
habits?
- What can I do at home to help my
daughter succeed in school?
Listen carefully and make notes as
the teacher talks about your child's progress. Keep an open mind.
Even if the teacher says something you disagree with, listen to what
she has to say. Remember that you both want to help your daughter
succeed. If you think of a question you didn't ask, call or write a
note.
Talk with your daughter after the
conference. Stress the positive things the teacher said -- and talk
about suggestions for improvement. Then plan with your child how to
carry out these suggestions.
* * *
For more information about helping
children learn or to submit your own question to The Learning
Advisor, go to
http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive
a prompt answer by e-mail.
© Copyright 2005, The Parent
Institute.
"Ask the Learning Advisor -- Ideas for Raising Successful
Children" is a free syndicated column available through
The Parent
Institute.
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