The Importance of Parent-Teacher Time

Parent-teacher time is an important component of educational success. Communication between parents and teachers helps to foster learning and enables kids to reach their potential. Kids become more engaged and invested in their education when their parents show a strong interest. Studies have shown that parental involvement at school correlates with better academic performance and improved behavioral outcomes for children. Information that parents share with teachers about their child can also help to enrich learning experiences in the classroom.

There are multiple ways for parents to establish an open dialogue and build a rapport with teachers. Parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) are one way for parents to collaborate with educators and other parents to support their child’s education. PTOs allow parents to learn more about educational and enrichment programs and build stronger connections with teachers. They give parents an opportunity to contribute ideas, volunteer, and get involved in school improvement initiatives. The organizations also help parents stay abreast of school activities and future development plans.

Conferences with teachers are another beneficial way for parents to get involved in their child’s schooling. Discussions with teachers give parents valuable insight into the strengths and weaknesses their child displays while at school. At a conference, parents can find out details about their child’s work habits and level of participation in the classroom. Parents can ask to review schoolwork, projects, and tests at the conference to gain a better understanding of their child’s report card. Parent-teacher conferences also give parents insight into their child's behavioral and social skills at school. Parents can use this information to implement interventions as needed and provide targeted support for their child’s growth and development.

The information gathered from a conference gives parents direction for working with their child on areas that need improvement. Parents can use the information to create an action plan for their child. For example, the plan may involve reallocating study time at home to give increased attention to a specific subject. Parents may also consider hiring a tutor or other special services if their child is experiencing difficulty in a particular area. The action plan may also include special accommodations in the classroom or an individualized education plan (IEP) if needed. If a teacher advises that a child is struggling with social interaction during lunch or recess, parents can discuss extracurricular activities or programs that might be helpful for their child. 

Schools usually have designated days for parent-teacher conferences at least once or twice per year. However, parents can also keep in contact with teachers throughout the school year when they are available for phone conferences or updates via email. Checking with teachers for updates on your child’s progress ensures that they are meeting benchmarks and performance goals. In addition, many schools have websites where parents can track their child's homework, classwork, and test scores daily or weekly. In addition, parents can provide help with test prep by obtaining regular updates to the class schedule and assignment list. Staying on top of your child’s performance at school helps to ensure there won’t be any surprises when it is time for report cards each semester!