What To Do At Your Child's Parent Teacher Conference

Many schools require parents to meet with their child's teacher at least once a year at a parent teacher conference, but if you are concerned about your child's performance or comfort at school you can ask to meet with the teacher any time you want. Learn to be a good communicator and have a successful positive parent teacher conference with these tips.

Meeting with your child’s teacher at school is often a routine event. Some schools today require all teachers to meet with parents as measure of good communication. These meetings are routine and a good idea.

However, if you have a concern about any aspect of your child’s progress at school, don’t hesitate to request a conference. Follow these seven steps, and you'll be on your way to having a successful parent teacher conference filled with positive communication and viable solutions for everyone.

1.Take the initiative in addressing the problem.

Don’t wait for the school to call you. Regardless of the problem your child is experiencing at school, you tilt the balance in your favor when you take the initiative to set the meeting. Remember, the one calling conference usually direct.

2. Stick to the issues.

It’s easy for a conference to go off in too many directions. Clearly focus on the issues that make up the problem at school regarding your child.

3. Examine the facts.

Exactly what is the nature of the concern? Be specific, because the problem is specific. Usually, problems at school are behavioral (such as compliance concerns or getting along with other students) or academic. In some cases, problems are both behavioral and academic.

4. Look at long-range implications.

What is the “cost” of the current problem in terms what is happening now and how it will manifest in the future? What would happen if nothing were done to address this problem? If there is no significant downside, perhaps no action should be taken at all.