Parent Teacher Conferences

Perhaps one of the few things that can add to the stress of all that is going on during the holiday season is the highly anticipated report card conferences! It's ironic that often times, these conferences are viewed with a sense of hesitancy from both the parents' and the teachers' perspectives.

Hopefully, no one is coming into these meetings with a sense of wonder or will be leaving surprised. Everyone should have a pretty good sense of how their child is doing in class, particularly if it is an area of concern. We all should enter these talks with the belief that we are attempting to strengthen the partnership that must exist if our children are to succeed. It is just as important for parents to come into conferences prepared as it is for the teacher.

Before you meet, write down some questions you may have regarding your child's you have concerns, see if they match with he teacher's concerns. Be aware of the difference that occurs with group learning versus working alone with an adult at home. Do not become defensive about your child's school performance, partner for ways to improve it. Make a plan with the teacher (and your child) to do better.

Afterwards, sit down with your child and look over the report card together. Find items to praise and discuss how to improve the areas that need improvement. Now is not the time to get upset about a bad grade, but instead ask your child how you can help him or her do better.

Finally, be careful about rewards for good grades. Again, consider the message you are sending. Do you want to attach a dollar amount to a grade, or prefer your child understand that the most important benefit of acquiring a good grade is the knowledge gained from that grade?