Parent-teacher conferences are a great opportunity for you to get to know your child’s teacher…while at the same time getting a better insight into your child’s academic progress and social growth! These handy tips will help you make the most out of parent-teacher conferences.

	Before the conference… Talk to your child about the fact that you will be meeting with his teacher. Ask him if there is anything he would like you to discuss with his teacher. This will help your child understand that you care about his concerns and feelings and that you are meeting to talk about how you can best help him succeed in school. Make a list of questions that you would like to ask your child’s teacher. If possible, narrow your list down to five or six key questions so that there is time for follow-up discussion. Some questions might include: What skills will my child be expected to master this year? How would you characterize my child’s academic progress so far? Do you have any concerns or observations about his academic focus or learning habits? How does my child interact socially with the other children in class? With teachers or other adult authority figures? Do you have concerns about her social development? What can I do at home to best support what my child is learning at school? Are there any projects or special assignments planned for this year that I might need to be aware of? How do you accommodate different learning styles and/or the differing ability levels of the children in your class? Make every effort to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled conference time. This will ensure that you have all the time you need to discuss what matters most—your child! Note: If you have concerns or questions about your child’s academic performance, social interaction, or behavior prior to the scheduled conference time—don’t wait! Contact your child’s teacher and make an appointment to discuss your concerns. More than likely, the teacher will appreciate your demonstrated concern as well as your effort to be part of the solution.
	During the conference… Begin the conference on a positive note by offering a kind word to the teacher or a positive comment about the classroom. Thank the teacher for setting aside time to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress. Try to be open-minded about suggestions from the teacher. Remember that she sees your child in a classroom environment every day and wants to help him succeed! Avoid lengthy discussions about topics that are unrelated to the conference. Take notes of what was discussed, as well as what action or follow-up is recommended by the teacher, so that you can share key points of the discussion with your spouse or, if she is old enough, with your child. Also, it is helpful to have these notes to review for yourself at home when you have time to absorb everything that was discussed. If the teacher raised concerns about your child’s behavior or academic performance during the conference, be sure to schedule a follow-up conference (either in person or by phone) before you leave the meeting that will take place in 2-3 weeks.
	After the conference… If specific concerns about your child were discussed during the conference, consider writing a follow-up note or placing a phone call a few weeks after the conference to check on your child’s progress. Continue to monitor your child’s academic, social, and behavioral development by talking to your child about school and staying involved!