Make The Grade On Teacher Night
November is the time for parent-teacher conferences at many schools across the country. The Saturday Early Show family counselor Mike Riera, head of the Redwood Day School in Oakland, Calif., gives this advice on how to use the conference to get a good picture of your child's progress.
Hallmarks of a successful parent-teacher conference
What teachers would like parents to know about conferences
The meetings are not about what you are doing wrong as a parent. Your kid's report card is not your report card. Also, the meeting is not about reliving your school experiences with teachers.
The most effective way to get a really good snapshot of a child's academic progress
Ask specific questions with examples:
Things to find out about your child's learning style
Some teachers trained in these areas will tell you without your prompting, but many others need your prompts. Do some homework: For instance, kinesthetic, visual, auditory, analytical, interpersonal, intrapersonal. Say what you've noticed as a prompt.
Test-taking skills
Some kids are naturally better testers than others - not necessarily more intelligent - just better test-takers. All can improve. Ask what you can do at home to help out.
Social skills
Ask about your child in playground, the lunchroom, and greeting guests to the class.
Observations about your child that are helpful to share with the teacher
Tell them what he is like when he is engaged. Tell them what he remembers best from , that is, his highlights from school and the classroom.
To ask Mike a parenting question, e-mail him at sat@cbsnews.com