Making the Most of Your Parent-Teacher Conference

Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to sit down with your child’s teacher, free from the distractions of drop off or pick up, and reflect together on the growth and development you are both observing. These meetings are full of valuable information for both parties but the time can go by quickly. What’s the best way to make the most of your conference? I asked our teachers to share some tips that they feel make for the most positive and productive conversations: 

1. View the conference as a celebration of your child’s growing skills and abilities. Teachers carefully prepare for these conversations, gathering observations, photos, and samples of your child’s work to show you. They are excited to share how your child spends their time at school, what makes them light up or piques their curiosity, and tell you about their achievements in the classroom. Focus on this before any areas that are still developing. 

2. 

   Share what you are seeing at home and if there are any changes or other pertinent details about your child that would be useful to know. Young children can be very sensitive to even seemingly small changes in their routines. A parent being out of town or the introduction of a new babysitter can have ripple effects at home or at school. Similarly, changes in sleep patterns or illnesses can also impact a child’s behavior. And if your child is working with an outside specialist, please trust your teachers with that information so that they can best support your child in those areas while they are at school. 

3. Remember that development happens on a continuum and that there is a wide range of skills and behaviors that are considered typical for an age group. As challenging as it may be, try not to compare your child’s skills to a sibling’s or those of other children in the class. Everyone develops at their own pace. Progress is measured by comparing your child to him/herself over time. Every human, young or old, has strengths and areas that are still developing.  

   

   
   

4. Please be on time. It goes without saying, but conference days are often hectic for teachers and it’s important to them to give each family their allotted time. When you are punctual, it helps them keep to their planned schedule, respecting every family’s time. 

5. Share any specific questions or concerns ahead of time. If there’s something on your mind that you know you will want to discuss, it can be really helpful to let the teachers know before the conference. This gives them time to prepare observations and materials that are tailored to the areas most important to you. 

   
   

6. Continue to communicate after the conference. You and your child’s teacher are on the same team with the shared goal of supporting your child’s growth and development. Open communication and collaboration are the key to a positive, productive relationship all year long!

Let's keep learning together,

Andrea