Help Your Child Succeed

Parents are their children's first teachers.

Here are some ways you can help your child in school:

• Getting to know your child's school and teacher.
• Making sure your child attends class.
• Volunteering with your child's class.
• Making the most of parent-teacher conferences.

Making the Most of your Parent-Teacher Conference

To help your child be successful in school, it is important you make the most of a parent-teacher conference.  Before your next meeting, take the following steps:

• Go into the meeting with a positive attitude.  By being positive, you set the tone for the rest of the meeting.
• Ask about any concerns you may have about your child.  Additionally, if there are any personal or family issues you think the teacher should know about, the conference is the ideal setting in which to share them.
• Express your support of the teacher.  If possible, offer to volunteer in the classroom, help organize a party, or talk to the class about a subject you are knowledgeable about. 
• Focus on your child's learning style.  If your child learns best doing things hands on, let the teacher know so they can consider that when teaching your child.
• Make sure you understand your child's responsibilities, such as writing down homework assignments, etc.
• Ask your child if there are any questions he or she wants you to ask during the conference.
• Keep the conversation going beyond the conference.  Connect with the teacher periodically throughout the school year either in person, or email so you can stay current with your child's learning experience in the classroom.