9 Meaningful Parent-Teacher Interview Questions
Is your meeting with your child’s teacher coming up? Here are 9 parent-teacher interview questions to help you get the most value out of it!
Parent-teacher interviews are very important as they allow parents to meet their child’s teacher and stay informed on their child’s progress in the classroom. Teachers will likely always bring assessment results and classroom concerns of their own, so in order to get the most out of your time it helps if you also take some time to prepare.
This can include reading your child’s school report carefully, noting down talking points, and compiling a list of questions. It can be difficult to know what kind of questions you should ask, but we’re here to help!
What to Expect at Parent-Teacher Interviews?
Parent-teacher interviews are regularly scheduled meetings, usually at the end of each school term. They are completed in both primary and high school. As an opportunity for both parents and students to meet one another, they are also a great way to promote communication between school and home. When you work together, the child is likely to feel supported and encouraged in their learning and social well-being.
The Benefits of Attending Parent-Teacher Interviews
You may not have any particular concerns and wonder if it’s worth attending your child’s parent-teacher interview. We’re here to tell you that you would be doing a great disservice to yourself, your child, and their teacher if you skip out on your child’s parent-teacher interview!
These meetings are a great way to learn more about your child’s academic, emotional, and social development in school. As your child gets older, they may not communicate their needs or issues as frequently. In these interviews, their teachers can provide insights into the areas your child is thriving and where they may be struggling.
Parent-teacher interviews can be:
- A great opportunity to meet and get to know your child’s teachers
- A time to collaborate on ways to best support your child in school
- Help build a relationship with your child’s school
- Show your child you have a vested interest in their development
If your child is in secondary school, we recommend bringing them along. This will help them acknowledge the importance of their learning and allow them to be part of the conversation. Some schools require student attendance so please consult beforehand.
9 Parent-Teacher Interview Questions to Prepare Before Your Meeting
1. How is my child going in school?
This is important to ask, as it will allow you to see how they are performing academically, and gain insight into their social development at school. Maybe you find that your child is underperforming in school, or maybe their teacher finds them overwhelmed in a particular subject. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Is your child distracted? Overwhelmed? Unmotivated? Thriving in specific areas? Their teacher will have the answers.
2. Is my child struggling with any particular subjects?
Asking this question can provide insight into whether your child has specific learning difficulties, or if they need additional support. The answer to this question will help you determine if your child needs extra help in a subject and you can begin searching for ways to help. You’ll never know until you ask.
3. Does my child come prepared for class?
Your child may not be completely truthful when they say they’ve completed their homework. Their teacher can inform you if this is a consistent concern or if they continue to struggle with time management or setting goals. If your child is disorganised, it may affect their ability to store and retrieve information.
4. Does my child complete their assignments on time?
The ability to complete assignments is a useful skill for your child in their academic life and beyond. Now is the time to build the necessary life skill of time management and timeliness. If this is an issue for your child, it is best to seek help and face it head-on.
5. What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?
These interviews can often feel like you only talk about your child’s opportunities for development, but it’s valuable to highlight their strengths too! You can ask your child’s teacher what areas your child excels in, what subjects are they most interested in, and what learning language your child seems most connected to. This information will help you understand your child’s interests and nurture their strengths.
6. Does my child need additional learning support?
Teachers have seen consistently growing classrooms, and with the COVID-19 lockdowns impacting students learning and development it may be worth asking whether your child would benefit from the assistance of a tutor.
If your child experiences ADHD, autism, or other mental, emotional, physical, or learning disabilities. Some schools may have action plans or facilities to assist student learning such as teaching aids or extending test times.
7. How well does my child get along with their classmates?
Admitting social difficulties can be a difficult thing for anyone to face, especially children at school, but asking this question may provide insight into your child’s mental health. Perhaps they are feeling isolated, or have been the victim of bullying or harassment. Your child’s teacher may be able to assist you with how to progress.
8. Has my child’s school performance improved over the years?
If you are able to bring previous school reports, parents and teachers can work together to track what areas are consistently improving and which seem to be stagnating. This insight can help you determine what subjects your child is naturally adept at, and where they may need extra help.
9. How involved is my child in class discussions?
Shy children can often find themselves being talked over, and because of this, it can be hard to determine whether they understand or engage well in class discussions. If both you and their teacher notice this, perhaps utilising a different classroom technique or seating arrangement can give your child more opportunities to get involved.
Support Your Child’s Learning with A Team Tuition
Parent-teacher interviews often result in revelations about your child’s mindset and academic performance. This information may lead you to the conclusion that your child could benefit from additional help!
Does your child need a helping hand with some subjects? A Team Tuition is here to help. With our tried and true tutoring methods, we can help your child improve their performance in school with our at-home and online tutoring. Find a tutor near you today!