Steps for a Successful Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conference

     Now that it’s November, elementary schools are getting ready for parent/teacher conferences. Remember, conferences are to help your child progress at the best of their ability.

This is the time for their teachers to tell you all the wonderful things they have accomplished, but it is also a time to give you an insight on your child’s weakness. These may be academic, behavioral, social, or a combination of the three.

As a parent, we all see our kids as beautiful masterpieces so when you attend, prepare yourself for comments that will tell you the truth about their actions at school.

There is no need to take these remarks personal. Teachers are honored to be with your kids. We enjoy watching your child’s ah ha light bulb go off when they realize and understand something they’ve been working on. Some students fall a bit behind in Math, Reading, or Writing. Simply attend with the understanding that your child needs help in a certain area, and the teachers will provide ideas and ways to increase their knowledge and performance.

Be sure to take notes, have questions already written down, ask questions once an area of help is brought up, and know that teachers are there to help you.

Now is the time to take my keys from my upcoming parenting book, Collecting Our Angels; Nurturing Our Children, and apply them. Use love and communication as you work with your child in the areas they need help. Help them schedule their time better so they can take time to study or work with a tutor as you schedule your time to be available to them. Most of all, keep consistency present as you move forward helping them by way of managing their television, game, and internet time.

You may need to seek out a tutor, rearrange your own schedule to spend more time to help your student as well as find and watch videos like this one to help with homework so that you can create the most loving atmosphere possible.

Remember, it’s not the end of the world if your child is below grade level in certain subjects. All children, even my own children in college and grad school, have struggled in one area or another. The most important thing to remember is to use love and fun ideas during your time with them.

They won’t remember every parent-teacher conference, but they will remember how loving and wonderful their parents were when they needed help.  Breathe, stay calm, seek out fun, and show love. That’s all our angels want and need. More importantly, that’s what our job as a parent is all about.

Below is a video touching on steps for a great conference. Please be kind enough to like my page, my blog, and leave your email for later newletter.