The dos and don’ts of parent-teacher conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are crucial opportunities to discuss your child's progress, address concerns and build a relationship with their educators. And while we all think the best of our child, sometimes there may be feedback in these meetings that is hard to hear. Here are some essential dos and don'ts to ensure these meetings are productive and positive. 

Dos 

1. Schedule individual conferences as needed. If you feel there's an issue that needs addressing, don't wait for the scheduled parent-teacher conference. Most teachers are happy to arrange individual meetings to discuss specific concerns. You know your child best and can provide valuable insights to help resolve any issues.
2. Establish open communication early on. From the beginning, make it clear you view the teacher as a partner in your child's education. Share your preferred methods of communication, such as the best times to reach you, phone numbers and email addresses. This sets a foundation for effective collaboration.
3. Share important information. Provide the teacher with any relevant information that can help them understand and teach your child better. This might include details about your child's learning style, any challenges they face or significant changes at home.
4. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. If you receive negative feedback about your child's behavior or performance, try not to react defensively or angrily. Understand there are multiple perspectives, and an open discussion is more productive. Ask questions to clarify the situation and focus on understanding the feedback.
5. Express surprise constructively. If you're surprised by feedback you receive about your child, express your surprise calmly and emphasize that you prefer to be informed about issues sooner. Ask the teacher how you can best support your child in addressing the problem.
6. Make a plan – together. Work with the teacher to identify specific responsibilities for your child, the teacher and yourself. Plan for a follow-up meeting to assess the strategies and make any tweaks to the plan.
7. Seek additional support if needed. If you feel the feedback is unfair, it's okay to request a meeting with the teacher, principal or counselor to discuss the issue further. Propose alternative solutions if the initial plan doesn't meet your child's needs.

Don'ts 

1. Don’t wait. Parent-teacher conferences only happen so often, so waiting to address concerns can delay necessary interventions. Proactively schedule meetings as needed.
2. 2. Don’t be defensive. Reacting defensively to negative feedback can hinder productive discussions. Stay calm, ask questions and seek to understand the teacher's perspective.
3. Don't be passive. Being passive or non-committal during the conference can lead to unresolved issues. Engage actively in the conversation and collaborate on solutions.
4. Don't skip follow up. Failing to follow up on the agreed-upon plan can undermine efforts to address the issue. Ensure that you, your child and the teacher are all accountable for their respective roles.

By following these dos and don'ts, you can make parent-teacher conferences a constructive experience that supports your child's educational journey. Remember, your child’s teacher and you have the same goal – to provide the best environment for your child and their education. Keep that in mind and you can create a great team to build your child’s success!