Back-to-school night is as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. Once students have begun their first few days and are getting to know their teachers and peers, parent-teacher conferences follow. This is a great place to establish a game plan to help your child succeed in school.

The Learning Disabilities Association of America’s Back to School article serves as the foundation of this post. We will focus on how parents can establish and maintain a connection for the sake of their child’s school year.

Start early and keep the communication going. Attending parent conferences at the beginning of the year allows you to introduce yourself and show your interest. This article will go over parent-teacher conference tips for parents.

Class is in session!

Prep – Do your research and find resources.

With just a few clicks on Google, you can search your child’s school website if they have one. School websites are a great source of information, with event schedules, contacts, rules, and more.

Learn everything you can about your child’s school. Familiarize yourself with the contact names of the superintendence, teachers, educational therapists, and school nurse. Learn about the school’s rules and regulations. The more you know, the better you’ll be at supporting their education.

Review – Double-check your notes.

Go to parent-teacher night with confidence. Bring your questions and your child’s information to help your child’s school year.

The more you know, the better you’ll be at supporting your child’s education. Write and review questions you have about your child’s action plan and go over the information you need to share.

Supplies – Bring a notebook and pen!

While listening to the teachers take notes during the meeting and ask for more details if something isn’t easy to comprehend. Stay engaged and ask for clarity or further explanation.

Ask – Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Here are some topics to ask:

• Are teaching methods and materials used based on proven methods for reading and math?
• Are the science and history books up-to-date?
• Does the school meet state standards?
• What are the required courses?
• What are the expectations for a child’s learning and how is progress measured?
• In regards to grades, what does the evaluation process look like?
• What steps does the school take to support students if they have a learning disability or show signs of any delays?
• When does an occupational therapist become involved in an individual educational plan (IEP)?
• How involved or hands-off can parents be when IEPs are occurring?

Request all the information you need to feel comfortable in supporting student success. Ask for specific ways to support your child at home and keep an open mind.

Build – Establish an understanding of your child’s action plan.

Teachers should be providing specific details about your child’s progress as well as be receptive to your information. This is the time to bring up your child’s strengths, talents, skills, hobbies, study habits, and any sensitivities they might have.

Let teachers know about any relevant information concerning your child. This encompasses accommodating your child’s specific requirements or any family circumstances/events that could affect their education. This might include the birth of a new sibling, a medical condition, or a recent or upcoming move. If your child has special needs, ask about finding an educational therapist to further learn the IEP process.

Connect – Parent-Teacher Communication

Nowadays, teachers encourage many students and parents to utilize online communication tools. There are web pages and apps available to effectively communicate directly with your child’s teacher.

Think about what you can do at home for a few minutes each day to support what the school is teaching. Every family can provide this kind of involvement.

If you notice a significant change in your child’s behavior, school performance, or attitude, contact their teacher promptly.

If your child struggles with a subject, ask the teacher about the next test and its return date. This way, you can address problems beforehand. Contact the teacher if your child doesn’t understand an assignment or needs extra help.

If you spot issues, email the teacher with your questions. Email lets you talk easily and arrange a phone call or meeting to make sure both sides understand each other.

Check-ins – Grades and progress reports

Report cards show your child’s progress, but you should also stay updated on their performance between report cards. Afterward, reflect on the teacher’s input and follow up.

Your school might have an online grading system, which allows parents to receive notifications about new grades. Utilize this to better support your child’s school-year struggles and needs.

Speak Up – Advocate for your child

Schools should keep you updated about your child’s progress and behavior. It’s frustrating to only find out about difficulties during report-card time. On the other hand, you might realize a problem before the teacher does.

If you suspect your child is having problems with schoolwork, contact the teacher early. By sending a note or email, you can work together to solve the issue early on. If English isn’t your first language, you might need to involve someone bilingual in the meeting.

By staying engaged and collaborating with the school, you can help your child succeed. Keep going and remember that you are crucial to your child’s confidence and future, so don’t hesitate to seek assistance.

The fact that you are researching how to approach supporting your child is already a wonderful start. Keep going!