The toddler years are behind you, preschool has begun, and the countdown to kindergarten is on. 

Will your child be ready? Only one way to know: ask the teacher. 

Preschool teachers are your partners in school readiness; they know your child; they can tell you how they’re doing; they can fill you in on areas they’re still working on. Just as important, they can tell you about the persona your child shows at school – the one that might look dramatically different from the one you see at home. “I was sure Owen was acting out in the classroom,” says one mom about a conversation she had with her son’s teacher. “But she wasn’t seeing it at all. Phew!” 

1. How is my child adjusting to the classroom environment and routines?
2. How is my child’s language development progressing – in speaking and listening?
3. How is my toddler or preschooler doing socially? Is he engaging with his peers appropriately for his age? How well does he share? Who are his friends?
4. How is my child doing emotionally? Is he reacting appropriately to various situations (happy, sad, frustrated, empathetic, etc.)?
5. Does my child engage in play appropriately for his age? What is his favorite play activity?
6. How does my preschooler respond to classroom rules and procedures? Does he need a lot of redirection and reminders?
7. When needed, how is discipline/challenging behavior handled? What can I do at home to correct problem behavior?
8. How is my child progressing cognitively (counting, colors, weather, alphabet, etc.)? How do you support this?
9. How are my child's self-help skills (washing hands, eating and cleaning up lunch, brushing teeth, preparing nap mat, etc.)?
10. How do you promote independence? 
11. Is my child able to complete tasks?
12. What do you think my child is good at? What does he enjoy most in the preschool classroom?
13. What areas do you think my child needs improvement?
14. Are there any concerns I need to address with my child's pediatrician?
15. How can I support my child’s learning/development at home?

While parent teacher conferences are a cornerstone of communication, the best partnerships are forged throughout the year -- both in formal sit-down conversations, and in daily drop-off and pick-up chats that take place on the fly. Those are where you can do a quick check-in, and where teachers are likely to bring up issues as they arise. 

But no matter where you’re checking in, the important thing is to tune in and roll with what you hear.  “What I’ve learned,” says Owen’s mom, “is that an open mind is key.”