Sending your child to school, whether it is the first time or the fifth time, can be very stressful and overwhelming for parents, as each new term comes with unique new challenges. It is normal to be concerned about how your child will adjust at school during the new school year.
Parent-teacher meetings are the best opportunities for parents to learn about their child’s academic performance, learning style, likes and dislikes, social interactions, and other challenges. During that time, you can ask the teacher some much-needed questions. Here are some of them:
How do you assess my child’s progress?
Many schools assess students through their class participation, school work and observations. Other schools have more formal ways of assessment. Mostly though, school assessments involve a combination of both. It is important to know how your child will be assessed so that you know what to expect.
What is your view on homework?
Many teachers feel very strongly about homework. Asking the teacher about their homework policy will give you an idea of their teaching methods, overall.
What are some of the important concepts my child has to understand this year?
The answer to this question can help you understand what is important for this school year. It could be an important social skill, an issue with another pupil, or simply paying more attention in class.
What can be done if my child isn’t being challenged enough?
A parent knows when their child isn’t being challenged enough academically. Some signs include your child expressing boredom in class and breezing through their homework. In these cases, it is important to see if your child qualifies for certain tests or skill levels. You can also ask about any gifted programs at school. Learning enrichment activities can also support your child’s learning.
What is my child’s greatest success?
Some children don’t communicate with their parents about what happens in school. Asking the teacher about your child’s major achievements means you can give them some happy feedback. This can help boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem.
How can I promote literacy at home?
Promoting literacy does not mean forcing your child to read and having them put extra time for writing. It could simply mean having your child respect reading and writing at home. You can also encourage basic skills like letting them browse through books or painting and colouring.
What is the best way to communicate with you?
Some people try to have serious conversations with teachers during drop-off or pickup time, which are not the best times. Parents need to ask teachers what mode of communication they prefer, whether its phone, email, text messages, or messaging through school-approved apps. This way, the teacher can give you well-thought-out feedback without any distractions.
What can I do if my child is struggling academically?
Hearing that your child is struggling with their studies is never easy for a parent. To help your child, you should ask the teacher what areas your child is falling behind on and at what level should he be performing. Ask them what subjects are the most challenging for the child and whether they respond well to certain teachers. Also, ask if your child needs a special education evaluation.
Is my child struggling socially?
A big part of school life is social interaction. As your child grows, social struggles will become common for him as they try to fit into a group setting. It can be reassuring to ask the teacher how your child gets along with their peers in general. You can also ask whether they have problems socialising, or if they are being bullied. It is important to know what sort of policy the school has towards discouraging bullying.
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