Parents are a vital link between home and school, says a Cooperative Extension specialist. And they must take steps to ensure that this link is strong. According to Baldwin, parents are wise to establish a relationship with their child's teacher and school before a problem occurs.
Conferences can also head off any potential problems before they become unmanageable.
Talk with your child about school on a regular basis. Find out if there are any problems or concerns, or if special assistance is needed. Plan your questions before meeting with a teacher, and seek answers to your most vital questions first. You might want to ask about your child's strengths and weaknesses, and what you can do at home to reinforce lessons being taught at school. Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to provide information as well as get information, says Baldwin.