School has been in session for a bit now which means it is time for parent teacher conferences. If you’re new to this school thing or maybe you just have a new dedication to school – here are a few things I’ve learned from my many years as a mom and partnering with teachers about what they really need from you.

• Be involved
  • When kids know their parents care about school it makes them more likely to work hard and learn.
  • Understanding what’s happening at school will give you a sense of who the school is as a community.
  • Being involved can give you a better sense of where your child spends their day and who they spend it with.
• Communicate with the teacher
  • You don’t have to wait for conferences, if you have a concern or question, write a note or an email anytime.
  • Share big news; death, divorce, moving… these can all have a big impact on what’s happening in the classroom. And, the teacher needs to know.
• Allow your child to take responsibility for their homework
  • Provide a distraction free area for homework and study.
  • Be available to help when needed without over-helping.
  • Review their work to be certain they’re “getting it.”
• Review papers and stay in the loop
  • Looking over school work daily lets you see what’s happening in the classroom.
  • Monitoring grades and the kind of effort their putting into their work lets you know how to follow up at home.
• Build a stable routine
  • Set a bedtime that allows for plenty of sleep.
  • Feed them a healthy breakfast that will keep them focused and attentive.
  • No donuts, pastries or sugary cereals allowed.
• Be positive and supportive of what’s happening in school
  • Your attitude and beliefs about school have a big impact on your child’s attitude.
  • Speak well about school. Talk about what happens at school. Let them know their school is important to you and the family.
• Read, read, read at home
  • Reading is one of the most important things you can do at home to support classroom work.
  • Read to your kids. Have them read every day. Let them see you reading.
• Go to conferences!
  • It’s a great time to get to know your child’s teacher.
  • You’ll gain a better understanding of the academic expectations for the school year.
  • Conferences are a good time to tell the teacher more about your child.

Supporting classroom work at home will help your child be better prepared, gain confidence and grasp concepts and lessons more easily. Everything you do for your child and the school is appreciated and, all parties involved should look forward to working together to achieve positive results.