Parent-Teacher Conference Time
Tonight is the big night. We get some one-on-one time with my son’s kindergarten teacher. I can hardly wait. although his teacher is very good about sending home work and regular correspondence, most of my son’s day is a complete mystery to me. A few years ago, one of my very talented contributors, Debbie Swanson, wrote a great article on making the most of your conference time.
Here are some quicks for my fellow parents.
Look over your child’s work and discuss it with your child.
Make up a list of questions to ask the teacher (note to self!) Email any pressing questions to the teacher ahead of time.
Bring a positive attitude. All teachers agree that a positive mindset on part of the parent can make the difference between a successful or poor conference.
Use your time well. Time constraint is a common parental complaint - a 15 or 20 minute conference can be a short window to discuss your child’s education. If your child has been having any difficulties, you most likely would have already been contacted by the teacher.
Don’t forget that a large part of school, particularly in your child’s eyes, is the social aspect. Ask your teachers’ opinion of any social concerns you may have.
Arrive early - many teachers spend extra effort posting your child’s artwork or papers. Allow time to admire the displays.
Bring a brief list of your most important topics. Once conversations get underway, it’s easy to forget things that you intended to bring up.
