PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE QUESTIONS
Below are some important questions you want to ask your child's teacher(s) during the conference. Whatever his or her thoughts, comments and observations, try to be a good listener and take lots of mental & written notes. The teacher is going to give you useful information...information that will help YOU help your child at home!
This is NOT the time to contradict or "pick apart" whatever the educator has to say. This doesn't accomplish ANYTHING...you're not going to change their opinion, and the conference just escalates from a friendly meeting to a court trial! ("What do you mean that Johnny is not trying hard? He told me last night that he's the hardest worker in this class, so obviously your opinion is wrong!")
We understand it can be VERY difficult not to be a child's advocate/spokesman/etc., but you have to TRY YOUR BEST TO LISTEN, LISTEN and LISTEN some more!
This is NOT the time to contradict or "pick apart" whatever the educator has to say. This doesn't accomplish ANYTHING...you're not going to change their opinion, and the conference just escalates from a friendly meeting to a court trial! ("What do you mean that Johnny is not trying hard? He told me last night that he's the hardest worker in this class, so obviously your opinion is wrong!")
We understand it can be VERY difficult not to be a child's advocate/spokesman/etc., but you have to TRY YOUR BEST TO LISTEN, LISTEN and LISTEN some more!
- How does my child get along with others?
- Which are my child's best subjects and which need improvement?
- Does my child participate in discussions and activities?
- Have you noticed any unexplained changes in my child's behavior?
- Is my child working to his or her full potential?
- Are there any upcoming projects that my child and I can work on together?
