The parent-teacher relationship is Key in your child's success
A positive parent-teacher relationship is vital to a child’s success in school. Parent-teacher conferences provide an opportunity to strengthen the home and school communication. You and your child’s teachers are a team, and a conference is similar to a team huddle where a game plan for success is being reviewed and, if necessary, revised. Both the parents and the teacher are highly invested and interested adults who will use the meeting time to exchange information that will ensure that your child’s academic and social-emotional well-being are moving forward. This spirit of collaboration and cooperation between home and school will go far in enhancing your child’s opportunities for success. There are a few strategies that parents can do to ensure that your private time with your child’s teacher is used to its maximum benefit.
10 strategies to get prepared for the parent-teacher conferences
- Check with your child prior to the conference to see if there are any issues that he/she would like you to discuss with the teacher.
- Bring a list of your questions to ask. Check out our list of
- Come ready to share your observations, concerns, and compliments regarding your child’s school year thus far.
- Share any changes at home that might affect your child’s performance at school.
- Be an active listener and take notes for future reference.
- Make sure you consider your whole child-- including academic success, social interactions, and emotional development.
- Be prepared to discuss your child’s strengths as well as any areas for improvement.
- Keep the conference positive, even if some hard issues must be discussed.
- Leave with a plan and be prepared to do whatever follow-up you and the teacher agree upon.
- Report on time, so that you and the teacher don’t have to rush the conversation.
strong parent-teacher communication is essential
Parent-teacher conferences are just one way to keep the lines of communication open so that you can partner with your child’s school for the benefit of your child. You can continue connecting with teachers on the phone, through email, or in another face-to-face meeting, but the conference is a great place to start the conversation.
At Sanford School, our teachers frequently communicate with our parents to share their child's progress and to receive feedback from the parents. In addition, each student in grades 7-12 is provided with an advisor to monitor the overall well-being of the whole child and to take an active role in student success and advocacy. This partnership helps children be successful.
Christine Yasik is a retired Sanford School teacher who continues to work in education as a tutor and consultant. She earned her master's degree as a Reading Specialist from Central Connecticut University.
