Parent Teacher Meetings

Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Meeting at Your Child’s School 

Before the meeting 

If you do some work ahead of time, the meeting with your child’s teacher will go better and be more useful.  

• Talk to your child 

To get ready for the meeting: Talk to your child about it. Ask your child what subjects he or she is best at and what subjects he or she doesn’t like as much. Ask your child if there is anything in particular he or she would like you to talk to the teacher about. Make sure your child knows that you and the teacher are getting together to help him so he won’t worry about the meeting. 

• Make a list of your notes 

Make a list of things you want to talk to the teacher about and things you think the teacher should know, including your worries about the school, your child’s home life, any big changes in your family, habits, hobbies, part-time jobs, religious holidays, or anything that is bothering your child. Make sure to ask your partner or other adults who help you care for your child what they think. 

• Prepare a list of questions 

Having a good conversation with your child’s teacher will be easier if you come up with a list of questions ahead of time. Set the questions in order of importance in case you run out of time at the meeting. 

During the Parent teacher meeting  

• Be on time 

Start the meeting off right by showing up on time. Keep in mind that other parents may also have meetings that day and if you’re late, you may miss yours altogether. You should also plan to end the meeting at the scheduled time so that other parents can start theirs on time. 

• Be yourself 

Unwind and just be yourself. Remember that both you and your child’s teacher want the best for your child and you are in this together. 

• Stay calm 

Keep your cool during the meeting. The best way to work with your child’s teacher is to talk to them in a respectful way. If people get angry or upset during the meeting, it will be hard to communicate effectively. 

• Ask for help if you don’t understand something 

Pay close attention to what the teacher has to say. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information if you don’t understand something the teacher says, like an educational term or an explanation of a school rule. 

• Start the meeting by asking the most important questions first 

Ask the most important questions first because you may run out of time, especially if other parents are waiting to talk to the teacher after you. You can always meet with the teacher again to talk about anything you didn’t get to during the meeting. 

• Discuss differences of opinion with respect 

If you don’t agree with the teacher, explain why you don’t in a polite way. If you don’t tell the teacher that you don’t agree, the teacher might think you do and move on to the next topic. If you and the teacher talk about your differences, you might both find a better way to help your child. 

Make a plan of what to do 

Ask your child’s teacher for specific ideas on how you can help your child at home with homework, reading, organization, routines, behavioral issues, etc. Make sure you understand what the teacher is telling you and, if you don’t, ask for more information. The action plan will be made up of this list of ideas. Set up a way to keep track of your child’s progress and the best way to communicate with his or her teacher, such as through phone calls, emails, notes, or meetings. At the end of the meeting, go over the action plan with the teacher to make sure you both have the same goals. 

Thank the teacher for giving you a chance to talk 

Thank the teacher for giving your child their time and support, as well as for anything she has done to help your child. 

After the meeting has ended 

Speak with your child about the meeting. Focus on the good things and be honest about the problems that were brought up. If you and the teacher made a plan, tell your child what it is. Make sure your child knows that this plan was made by you and the teacher to help him and be sure to set expectations with your child about fulfilling the action plan. 

Start implementing the plan of action 

Start working on the plan. Check your child’s behaviour and schoolwork often to make sure that it’s working. Ask your child how he feels about school and his work. 

Communicate with the teacher 

Keep in touch with your child’s teachers. This will help you and the child’s teachers work better together, which is an important part of the child’s school success. When a child sees that his or her parents and teachers are working together, the child will know that his or her education is a top priority at school and at home.