Making the Most of Your Child’s Student-Led Conference: 5 Critical Question Areas for Parents
Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) are a highlight of the school year for IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) students and their families. They offer a unique opportunity for your child to take the lead in sharing their learning progress, reflecting on their growth, and showcasing their achievements. Unlike traditional parent-teacher conferences, where the teacher leads the conversation, SLCs give your child a chance to take ownership of their learning journey. As a parent, your role is to listen actively, encourage their reflection, and ask meaningful questions that invite deeper thinking. This isn’t about comparing your child to others, but about focusing on their personal growth,celebrating how far they've come and providing support to meet their next goals.
If your child attends an international PYP school in Singapore, you might wonder how to make the most of this conversation. Here are some thoughtful questions in key areas you can ask that can help spark rich discussions, foster a deeper connection with your child's learning, and celebrate their individual progress.
Understanding Learning and Progress
Begin by asking your child to share something they're really proud of. This question not only highlights what they value most but also opens the door to understanding what motivates them. Follow it up by asking about the challenges they've faced this year. What was difficult, and how did they overcome it? This helps your child reflect on their resilience and problem-solving skills. Ask how they recognise when they've done their best work - this encourages them to think about their personal standards and how they measure success, which is a key aspect of self-awareness.
Additionally, asking about the strategies they use when they don’t understand something gives insight into their approach to learning and persistence. You can also explore how they've improved in specific areas like mathematics, reading, or writing since the beginning of the year. This isn’t about comparing them to others, but about acknowledging their personal progress and growth.
Encouraging the IB Learner Profile and ATL Skills
A great way to deepen the conversation is by asking your child which IB Learner Profile attributes they think they demonstrate most. This question encourages them to recognise their strengths and connect them to the core values of the PYP program. Parents can also ask about the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills that have helped them the most this year - whether it's self-management, communication, thinking, social, or research skills. This highlights how they’ve developed important life skills beyond academics. Questions like, "How do you collaborate with your classmates during group work?" encourage your child to reflect on teamwork and the social aspect of their learning. Similarly, asking about ways they’ve shown independence in, and ownership of, their learning fosters a sense of personal responsibility and agency.
Personal Reflection and Goal Setting
Encourage reflection by asking your child what advice they would give their younger self at the start of the school year. This can help them think about the progress they've made and what they’ve learned about themselves. Follow this with questions about the goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the year and how they’ve worked towards them. Goal setting is an important skill, and discussing it gives your child a sense of ownership over their progress. You can also discuss what they want to improve on or take action on before the end of the year, which invites them to think about their next steps and how they can continue to grow. Lastly, asking about what they've learned about themselves as a learner invites reflection and helps them identify what strategies work best for them.
Inquiry and Real-World Connections
A wonderful way to highlight the inquiry-based approach of the PYP is to encourage your child to show you an example of how they've learned through inquiry. This emphasises their ability to formulate questions, think critically, and make connections. You can also ask them how they take action on what they’ve learned in school to their life outside of school. This brings the learning process full circle and shows how their academic journey is relevant to their daily lives. Discussing their favourite unit of inquiry and why they enjoyed it allows your child to share their enthusiasm and passion for learning. Lastly, asking about any connections they've made between what they’ve learned and the world around them helps them see the relevance of their education beyond the classroom.
Emotional and Social Growth
Don’t forget to touch on the emotional and social aspects of learning! Ask your child about something they've done this year that made them feel confident; this could be a project, a presentation, or simply overcoming a fear. How they handle mistakes or setbacks is another important conversation, as it highlights their emotional resilience and problem-solving abilities. Finally, asking how they support their classmates in their learning helps them reflect on the collaborative and supportive environment they contribute to. These questions highlight the importance of emotional growth, self-regulation, and interpersonal skills, which are just as important as academic achievements.
Final Advice
Throughout the conference, your reactions and responses will play a big role in shaping your child’s confidence and self-esteem. It's essential to celebrate their successes, acknowledge their challenges, and encourage them to think about their next steps. The beauty of SLCs is that they are not just about showcasing academic achievements but are an opportunity for students to develop self-awareness, responsibility, and a genuine love for learning. The questions you ask and the discussions you have help foster a growth mindset. By supporting them in reflecting on their learning journey, you’re helping them grow into confident, reflective, and independent learners. Enjoy this meaningful experience and take pride in your child’s journey; their progress is something worth celebrating.
