What to do after Parent/Teacher Conferences

We’re already halfway through the first semester of the school year, which means that
parent-teacher conferences are coming to a close. As a parent, you might be wondering: how
do I use what I took away from the conference to encourage a positive future for my child? Well,
with the help of Colorín Colorado’s article “Tips For Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences At
Your Child’s School,” we hope to provide some useful insights on the matter.

The number one important action to take after a parent-teacher conference is talking
with your child. Be honest with them about what was talked about and present it all in a
shameless, loving manner. Make sure your child feels understood and, in turn, that they
understand you’re there to help. You two are a team, and nothing fosters a healthy team
dynamic like an open, encouraging, truthful discussion.

If you and your child’s teacher discussed some concrete ways to help your child thrive,
be sure to take action on those. If it’s tutoring, then set them up with an appointment; if it’s a
more organized schedule, then work with your child to create a calendar for them. They may not
be excited about the steps needed to get them to success, but they will certainly be excited
when they can see real, tangible improvement in their performance.

Lastly, maintain communication with the teacher. You get to help your child at home and
their teacher gets to help at school. When you work together, you’re a powerful team! Take
advantage of that— keep each other updated on your child’s performance and work together to
make sure your child feels aptly supported and encouraged. It really can make all the difference.