Parent-Teacher Conference Questions: The Complete Guide For Parents And Teachers
Parent-teacher conferences can feel like a big deal, right?
Whether you’re a parent preparing to discuss your child’s progress or a teacher gearing up to meet with families, these meetings are an essential opportunity for collaboration. But how do you approach tricky topics like academic struggles or behavior concerns? What questions should parents ask? And how can both sides work together to support the child’s growth?
Are you new here? Welcome! I’m Miss Beth, the founder of Big City Readers. I believe that learning needs to be flexible and fun for children to thrive. As an educator, my goal is to find the best way to support each child’s unique learning style. I use the 5 building blocks of early literacy—read, write, sing, talk, and play—along with the Orton-Gillingham method, which taps into visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways.
Let’s dive into how you can prepare for parent-teacher conferences (whether you’re a parent or teacher), how to handle difficult conversations with ease and build a strong partnership that supports the child’s success.
What’s The Goal Of A Parent-Teacher Conference?
Let’s start with the basics: the purpose of a parent-teacher conference is to create a partnership between parents and teachers. The goal is to discuss your child’s academic progress, social development, and any concerns that might arise during the school year. It’s not just about hearing what the teacher has to say; it’s also a chance for parents to share what they’ve noticed at home and ask questions.
While many parents may already know what a parent-teacher conference is, it’s helpful to shift the focus from what it is to why it matters. These meetings are about building a team—parents and teachers working together to support the child.
How To Prepare For The Conference
The key to a successful parent-teacher conference is preparation. These meetings are short, so both parents and teachers need to come ready to make the most of the time. Here are some tips to help everyone get the most out of these conversations:
For Parents:
Write down questions or concerns: Conferences can go by quickly, so jot down anything you want to discuss beforehand. This could be about your child’s academic performance, behavior in class, or even how they’re adjusting socially.
Send questions ahead of time: If you have specific concerns that might require more time or thought, consider emailing them to the teacher before the meeting. This helps ensure important topics are covered.
Be open: Even if you don’t know exactly what to ask, don’t hesitate to initiate conversations. Teachers appreciate when parents are engaged and curious about their child’s progress.
For Teachers:
Have a plan: Teachers usually have a blueprint of what they want to cover during conferences—academic achievements, areas for improvement, and social-emotional development
Be ready for parent concerns: While you have your agenda, it’s important to leave room for parents’ questions or worries. Flexibility is key here, so don’t feel like you have to lead every single second of the meeting.
What Is The Best Way To Handle Difficult Conversations?
Sometimes conferences involve tough topics—whether it's behavioral issues, academic struggles, or frustrations over specific curriculum concepts. These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they’re also essential for helping children succeed. Here is what I recommend to both parents and teachers to know in advance if / when these tricky topics come up:
For Parents:
Start with honesty: If you’re nervous about bringing up a difficult topic (like your child’s struggles with reading or behavior), it’s okay to say so. You might start with something like, “I’m not sure how to ask this, but I’ve noticed my child seems frustrated with their homework.” The goal is to get your questions answered – it’s okay if the delivery is not perfect.
Stay curious: Approach the conversation with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Remember that both you and the teacher want what’s best for your child.
For Teachers:
Lead with empathy: Remember that every child is their parent’s pride and joy, so hearing their struggles can be difficult. Frame difficult conversations with care by acknowledging that these discussions can be hard.
Offer solutions: When discussing challenges like behavior or academic struggles, balance honesty with constructive feedback. Share what strategies you’re using in class and suggest ways parents can help at home. This is the best way to make these bumps in the road feel like a team effort.
My Child Works With A Specialist. When Do I Meet With Them?
If your child works with additional staff like reading specialists or special education teachers, you might wonder if you need separate meetings with them. The answer depends on your school’s approach.
Some schools allow parents to meet with multiple teachers during conferences if their child receives extra support. On the other hand, some schools encourage teachers to collaborate with specialists before conferences to ensure consistent information is shared.
If you're unsure whether you should meet with specialists separately or together with the classroom teacher, don’t hesitate to ask! Communication between all parties ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding your child's progress.
Diagnosing Learning Or Behavioral Issues
When it comes to parent-teacher conferences, there are times when learning or behavioral concerns need to be addressed. While teachers can observe and share patterns of behavior, they cannot officially diagnose conditions like ADHD or dyslexia. This is a common misconception, especially in public schools.
Teachers can, however, offer valuable insights based on their observations. They may notice behaviors that align with certain conditions, but parents need to understand that an official diagnosis must come from a healthcare professional.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, consider asking the teacher if they’ve noticed similar patterns in the classroom. From there, you can consult a pediatrician or specialist for further evaluation.
It’s also helpful to remember that teachers are there to support your child. They can suggest strategies being used in school and offer advice on how you can reinforce these efforts at home. Approaching these conversations with collaboration ensures that both parents and teachers work together to provide the best support for the child’s growth.
How To Build Ongoing Communication After The Parent-Teacher Conference
Parent-teacher conferences shouldn’t be the only time you communicate with your child’s teacher! Ongoing dialogue helps build trust and ensures that any concerns are addressed early on. Here are a few tips I recommend to both parents and teachers to keep each other in the know about the child’s learning progress:
For Parents:
Keep teachers informed when you feel it’s necessary: If there are big changes happening at home (like a move or family illness), let the teachers know so they can be mindful of any potential changes in behavior at school. Trust me, their teacher will want to know about these changes, so don’t feel like it’s a bother to keep them informed.
For Teachers:
Share positive updates: Don’t wait until there’s an issue to reach out! Positive communication is an underrated tool that helps build rapport and reassures parents that their child is doing well. I cannot recommend this enough!
Advice for First-Time Parents and Teachers
First of all, congratulations! Whether you’re a first-time teacher or parent, a huge part of these conversations is celebrating children’s milestones. That being said, I do understand that conferences can feel overwhelming or a bit anxiety-inducing. Here are some tips I wanted to specifically mention for the first-timers out there:
For New Parents:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions—even if they seem small! You know your child best, and any insight you provide will help the teacher support them better.
For New Teachers:
Be honest but sensitive when discussing challenges. Parents appreciate knowing where their child might need extra support but also want reassurance that their child is being cared for. These kids are their pride and joy, so make sure each topic is discussed with compassion and optimism.
Raising A Lifelong Learner Takes Practice. Let’s Work Through It Together!
Helping your child grow as a learner isn’t just a one-time chat at a parent-teacher conference or a moment in the classroom—it’s an ongoing journey! And guess what? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. I’m here to help guide you every step of the way.
If you’re ready to take the next step in supporting your child’s reading development, I can’t recommend my Raising Readers Workshop enough. This workshop is your crash course in everything you need to know to teach kids how to read effectively and joyfully.
Here’s who this workshop is perfect for:
Parents who want reading to feel fun and easy—because you’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge you need.
Teachers who want lessons rooted in science-backed research—no more late-night Googling for tips or tricks.
Homeschool parents, tutors, or SLPs ready to dive into a proven approach to reading instruction.
Anyone who wants a comprehensive list of reading activities to use at home or in the classroom.
Parents who want to identify quality reading curricula and know what to look for when supporting their child’s learning.
Parent-Teacher Conferences Are An Opportunity For Collaboration—Not Confrontation
By approaching parent-teacher meetings with curiosity, empathy, and open communication, both sides can create a positive environment where children thrive. Remember: You’re all on the same team, so it does not need to feel scary.
If you’re still feeling a sense of anxiety surrounding parent-teacher conferences (regardless of which side of the table you’re on), I HIGHLY recommend booking a One-on-One Call With Me! Together, we can walk through the specific aspects of the conference that are causing you anxiety, plus work through tailored solutions so you enter each conversation with confidence.
What has your experience been like at parent-teacher conferences? Please let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest early childhood development tools, check out my recent posts:
