Whether you are about to have your first or one of many meetings with your child's teacher, communication and planning before, during and after the meeting is an important part of your child's education and  helps to improve parent teacher communication. It is always a good idea to be involved with your child's schooling and make an effort to meet with the teacher at least once a year.  This is one of the easiest methods of parent involvement in education.

Before the Conference:

  • Talk with your child beforehand. Look over his schoolwork, past report cards, and any notes from the teacher. Sit down with your child’s other parent a few days before the meeting and make a list of “what we've noticed at home and what our child has said about school." 
  • Prepare questions ahead of time and write them down. Whatever your reason for meeting with your child's teacher, knowing what you want to talk about will help the meeting go more smoothly. 
  • If at all possible, both parents should be a part of the meeting. Find a babysitter for younger siblings. Staying focused on what you want to learn from your child's teacher is easier without distractions, and more productive if attended by both parents.

During the Conference:

  • Bring a notebook. Keep notes of what the teacher is telling you and solutions you both discuss during this meeting. 
  • "Show up and on time," says Roy Gibbs, teacher in Cordele, Georgia. This may seem obvious, but teachers have a limited amount of time and want to give quality attention to your meeting. 
  • Have an open mind. It's easy for parents to be protective of our children, but approaching a parent/teacher meeting with a defensive attitude helps no one. Be honest about your child, but don't make excuses. Use this time to listen and ask questions. This is important information given to you by an adult who works with your child every day.

After the Conference:

  • Follow through at home on strategies you've discussed with the teacher. Your objective is to help your child with any problems, whether learning, behavioral, or social. Don't ignore what has been discussed or put it off to another time.
  • Approach your child with love and an open mind. Begin with good comments or praises from her teacher. Listen without being confrontational. Encourage her that you want to help her work through any problems or frustrations.
  • Plan a follow-up meeting with the teacher before the semester or school year ends.


 

Kathryn Lay is an accomplished freelance writer, teacher and speaker. Her latest book "Crown Me" won the Texas State Reading Association's Golden Spur award.