The parent-teacher conference is one of the most important discussions you’ll have regarding your child. If you are in a brick-and-mortar school, this is your time to ask questions and find out more about the classroom and environment your child spends so much time in. If you have a private teacher or part of a learning pod, this is also an important time to work out the details of your child’s progress and how you can supplement their learning.

Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten great questions to ask during a parent-teacher conference:

1. Thank you!

Okay, we know this isn’t a question, but it’s still essential. You want to start on the right foot, so begin with a quick thank you! Teachers are traditionally overworked, underpaid, and under-appreciated.  Taking the time to thank your student’s teacher will help get the meeting flowing smoothly. It’s a great ice breaker and a way to start the meeting off in a positive manner. Also, it’s just good manners. 

2. What are my child’s strong suits?

This is an important question because it allows the teacher to say something positive about your child. It’s also a good way to detect how well they know your child. A good teacher will know your child’s habits, strengths, and weaknesses. A great teacher will usually jump at the opportunity to praise their students. 

3. How does my kid behave in class?

This question is sometimes scary to ask. No one wants to hear that their child is terrorizing substitutes or texting during class, but it’s important to know all the same. It can help you find out if there’s a behavioral problem going on at school that you might not know about. This can be directly connected to whether or not your student is succeeding in school. However, this question isn’t just about how well your child follows the rules. The teacher might also tell you about how your child participates in class, whether they ask questions, if they do well working in groups, and how they focus during independent work time. If the teacher doesn’t offer any of these, you might consider a follow-up question or two.

4. How is my child doing on homework?

They say practice makes perfect, but at home, practice isn’t exactly fun. Homework can be frustrating for students, and some may not put much effort into their homework (or skip doing it completely)! That’s why it’s a good idea to ask your child’s teacher if they’re turning in their homework on time and if it looks like they’re putting in some effort.

5. Does my son/daughter get along with the other students?

Maybe your son is popular and bound to become prom king, or maybe he prefers to fly solo and spend time working on projects by himself. Either way, it’s important to know! School isn’t just about learning. It’s also about making friends, getting along with others, and finding out what you want to do with the rest of your life.  As a parent, it can be hard to tell if your child is hanging out with a group of friends at school.  A teacher can give you a better idea of how your child socializes with others.

6. What’s the school policy on bullying?

Bullying is an issue in many schools and often happens when teachers or parents aren’t watching. Knowing the school’s policy on bullying and the teacher’s policy in the classroom is important. This also shows the teacher that you want to be made aware of any issues that arise.

7. Are there any topics that my child is struggling to grasp?

Our kids don’t always tell us everything, especially not when they’re struggling in school.  Maybe they are struggling in algebra because they don’t want to tell you about it. Perhaps maybe they hate reading Shakespeare because they have no idea what the heck he’s talking about. Ask their teachers if they are falling behind the rest of the class in any particular subject. That way, you can encourage and support them more at home. At Anything Academic, a quick search can give you dozens of options to supplement students’ learning in subjects where they might be struggling. Gameschooling is a popular way to supplement learning in a fun and exciting way that typically doesn’t even feel like learning.

8. What can I do as a parent to help my child’s education?

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably already doing a great job managing your child’s education.  Parenting is hard!  At Anything Academic, we are here to help make it easier. Finding the options to supplement or change your child’s learning path entirely is daunting and overwhelming… until now. Let us show you what’s out there waiting for you and your student. How can you possibly make the right decision if you don’t even know what options are out there waiting for you?!

9. What project is the class working on right now?

This is a great question if you want to keep up to date with your child’s assignments. Maybe they need materials to build a solar system model, or maybe they’re crafting a volcano for a science experiment. Ask the teacher if any group or solo projects are being completed so you can be prepared. If you know what units, themes, or studies are coming up, you can be prepared to ask the right questions at the dinner table instead of just ‘how was school?’

10. How can I stay in touch with you?

Communication is key to any good relationship, and the relationship you have with your child’s teacher is no different. This person is molding your child’s future. It’s harder to have this relationship in a large classroom of students, but it’s not impossible. You’ll need to find out how the teacher prefers to be contacted and then reach out often. Ask questions, ask if they need supplies or assistance. Don’t be afraid to be involved!