Tips for Talking to Your Student after Conferences

Now that Parent-Teacher conferences have ended, how about taking the time to update your child?  Having a short discussion with your student can help reassure him or her that school is going well, and can start the process of problem-solving if needed.  Here are some suggestions for how to speak with your child after meeting with his or her teacher.

Keep it safe: Your child might feel nervous or embarrassed if things are not going well at school. Explain that you want to pass on what you spoke about with the teacher so that your child can be involved in his or her own progress. Let your child know that a teacher is responsible for updating parents or guardians about classroom learning, and things that affect learning such as behavioral or social development.

Keep it a short conversation: Avoid lecturing and try not to overwhelm your child with action items resulting from the conference. Simply touch base, give a broad overview of what was covered during the conference, and list one or two things that you can work on together. Respectfully listen to your child if he or she expresses concerns or opinions.

Keep it reassuring: Children really want to be liked and for their families and teachers to get along.  Everything goes more smoothly if the adults in a kid’s life are working collaboratively in order to support learning. Make sure that your child knows that he or she is valued by the teacher and by you.

Keep it positive: Express confidence in your child and your belief that he or she can do well in school.  Pass on compliments you heard from the teacher, and point out what you liked about your child’s work samples, the teacher, or the classroom.

By involving your child directly in their education and creating an environment of mutual admiration and respect, everyone wins!