Questions to Ask Kids Before a Teacher Conference

There's no need to feel intimidated or stressed prior to a conference with your child's teacher. Whether your child is struggling or the star pupil of the class, asking your child the right questions in advance helps prepare you to get the most from your time with the teacher. Listening to your child's answers provides the information you'll need to prepare for a productive conference where you can work confidently and collaboratively with the teacher to enhance your child's progress.

  1. Proudest Moments

    • It's wise to start the dialogue with your child on a positive note. Ask her to tell you about the things that happen at school that make her feel proud and happy. If your child is not the talkative type, you might need to do a bit of prompting and probing to get her to share. Ask her if there were times when she helped the teacher or another student, or whether the teacher ever compliments her about her work and/or achievements.

    Academic Concerns

    • Take note of concerns that surface when you question your child about her school day. If she expresses that she has problems in some classes or feels lost in a particular subject be sure to discuss these concerns with the teacher. Ask your child if she feels that it takes her longer to complete her work in certain subject areas than others. Perhaps she feels rushed or frustrated with math or reading. Try to discuss each subject your child is studying so you can pinpoint specific areas of concern. This way, you won't be caught off guard at the conference should the teacher bring something up. Also, if the teacher is unaware of a problem, you can bring it to her attention.

    Discipline Issues

    • Sometimes children who are idyllic at home misbehave at school. You can't assume no behavior issues exist just because the teacher hasn't contacted you to discuss a problem. Don't be surprised if your child admits to some misbehavior when you question him. Ask if he's had to stay inside during recess or whether the teacher was disappointed with his behavior recently. Ask if there are any rules that are difficult for him to obey. Maybe other kids instigated some incidents. Try to get the particulars from your child if there were problems. Being forewarned prepares you to interact in a supportive way when you discuss an issue at the conference.

    Social Issues

    • There's typically a strong correlation between how well a child relates to her peers and whether a child is happy at school. Ask your child about her friendships at school and how she gets along with classmates in general. Find out if any unpleasant situations exist with other students. Sometimes older kids bully younger ones in the schoolyard, especially if there's inadequate teacher supervision. Don't forget to ask your child if there's anything she wants you to ask or tell the teacher on her behalf.

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