1. Be prepared. Take time to study the standards your child is expected to master. Look through papers and progress reports, and make a list of important points, so you won’t forget at the meeting.
2. Share about your child’s struggles and successes at home. Did your child retell a favorite short story over dinner? Does your kiddo regularly ask for help with math problems? Unless parents tell them what’s happening at home, educators can only guess.
3. Develop an action plan. Are there enrichment programs your child might enjoy? Are there resources to help overcome difficult subjects? A weekly trip to the library, where your children can choose what they’d like to read, can spur a love for learning.
4. Keep communicating. Parent-teacher conferences shouldn’t be the only time you talk to teachers. Most teachers relish the opportunity to work with parents, particularly the ones who don’t just call with problems and peeves.
5. Set aside time to celebrate your child’s successes. You might just find yourself spending less time wrestling with ratios and right angles.
