Parent-teacher conference LagosMums

How Parents Can Maximize Parent-Teacher Conferences

As Sola skipped into the house that evening the most important thing on his mind was giving mummy the piece of paper; his teacher put in his homework pouch. He knew it must be something important as his teacher had reminded him several times not to forget. He was really keen to prove to Miss Chioma that he could carry out assigned tasks responsibly. His mum could not help but smile at the infectious enthusiasm her son was oozing; as he handed over the stapled piece of paper from school.

Parent-teacher conference LagosMums

As she opened the paper she noted that it was an invitation to the upcoming parent-teacher conference. She heaved a sigh wondering how she would squeeze out time from her already cluttered schedule. She wished there was a checklist for how to maximize the benefits of the PTC.

It is an established fact that a well-rounded education involves the active participation of the home and school. Parents have as much, if not more, influence on the learning progression and development of their children as the teachers. Parent-teacher conferences stand out as one of the important avenues through which this relationship can be fostered and nurtured. Below are some easy strategies that parents can use to make the most of these meetings.

A parent-teacher conference is a great opportunity (for teachers) to:
  • Share academic progress and growth based on classroom observations, testing data, assessments, portfolios, and assignments.
  • Learn from parents or guardians so they can be better informed about students’ strengths, needs, and behaviors.
  • Discuss enrichment or intervention strategies to support students’ learning
  • Discuss issues that may be interfering with students’ learning and growth

These points deal directly with what the conference means for teachers. 

Here are a couple of tips that can help you prepare for and participate in these conferences. As a parent, the question should be how do you get the most benefit from the fifteen to twenty minutes with the child’s teacher? As a parent, get the most benefit from the fifteen to twenty minutes squeezed out of a busy schedule to sit with your child’s teacher?  

[Read: Tips to Help You Choose the Best School for your Child]

Be informed

Being well informed is the basis of a healthy parent-teacher relationship. A parent should be aware of the type of curriculum and the learning philosophy of the school. A parent should also have some information on how a child is assessed. 

Make it a point of duty to keep abreast of all these about your child’s learning environment. This creates a common ground for discussion between you and the teacher at the conference. It also eliminates the need for a lot of explanation of basic concepts by the teacher and cuts down the time wasted at the conference.

Discuss extensively with your child about their learning and socializing before the conference.

This is a very important point to consider before going for a parent-teacher conference. Most parents do not appreciate the benefits of a healthy discussion with kids about their own lives. It is a typical African/Nigerian mindset to assume that a parent knows what’s best for a child. However, research has shown that actively considering children’s opinions builds a better parent-child relationship.

A six-year-old primary one pupil is old enough to tell you about the subjects he likes and those he finds problematic in school. He can also give a detailed account of the friends he plays with in school and those he doesn’t like due to incidents that have happened or his perception of them. All these information are crucial to an informed parent-teacher conference as it gives the parent an opportunity to address issues the child might not be confident enough or capable of raising with the teacher.  

Approach the conference with a problem-solving, non-confrontational growth mindset.

Some parents see these conferences as avenues to go and ‘fight’ a teacher they perceive as incompetent or unduly harsh on their child. Rather, parents should aim to find solutions to issues affecting either the academic or behavioral development of their child. Being aggressive and confrontational will only engender a defensive stance in the teacher. Rather parents should have a growth mindset with a focus on ‘how can my child become better’ rather than a desire to blame or fight. 

Be open to comments (negative or positive) about your child.

This is an extension of the aforementioned point of having a growth mindset. Parents should be ready and willing to receive comments and opinions about their child that may not be in tandem with their own views. Remember that a teacher is a trained professional who spends a huge amount of time with your child. Hence the teachers’ opinion about learning ability, behavior, and development of your child should not be ignored. Comments such as “your child is dull and cannot do well in this class” should not be tolerated as it projects a defeatist mentality.

Parent-teacher conferences are great for a healthy partnership between the parents and the school.

Lanre Yusuf is a Learning and Development Specialist at ProTeach, a tech startup that connects learners to tutors using individual learning styles. He is a TESOL certified language tutor with over a decade of experience in education. He writes at ProTeach blog 

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