Meeting your child’s teacher for the first time? Developing a positive relationship with your child’s teacher can help your child do better at school. Here are some tips to make the most of meeting with your child’s teacher.

Don’t panic!

You may be nervous about meeting your child’s teacher, but there’s no need to worry. Remember that you and the teacher both want the same thing: to help your child to learn and do well at school. Teachers are experts in teaching, but you’re the expert on your child. Teachers value what you can tell them, as they know it can help them to work better with your child in the classroom.

Talk to your child

Let your child know that you are meeting their teacher. Ask them how they are feeling about school and their class – what they like and don’t like, and anything they would like you to talk about with their teacher. Let your child know that there is nothing to worry about – you and their teacher just want to help them learn.

Be on time

Teachers are busy people and will often have meetings with parents scheduled back-to-back. Being on time shows respect for the teacher and other parents, and helps to start the meeting on a positive note.

Be prepared

Each child is different, and no one knows your child better than you do. You know what interests them, what they’re good at, what they struggle with and if there is anything going on in their home life that might affect their learning at school. Make a list of the things you think the teacher should know about. This could include your child’s interests, talents and needs, any major changes in your family, anything that’s worrying you or your child, and any concerns about the school.

Have questions ready

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with the teacher. These are a good start.

• What is my child expected to learn this year?
• What types of tests or assessments will there be?
• Is my child participating in class discussions and activities?
• How are they performing with their schoolwork?
• How is my child getting along with the other children?
• What can I do at home to help support my child’s learning?

Follow up

At the end of the meeting, make a note of the things that you and the teacher will do to support your child’s learning, and arrange to check in with the teacher later in the year to see how your child is progressing. Ask how you can contact the teacher (through the school, via email, etc.) and let them know how they can contact you.

Talk to your child after the meeting, and let them know what you discussed with their teacher. Let them know the positive things the teacher said about them, and talk about any concerns that were raised. If you and the teacher made a plan to help address any concerns, explain this to your child and let them know that you and the teacher have created this plan to help them do better at school.