How much do you prepare a 6 year old for her own student-led conference?

lemon_kettle_95633 Sept 2026

Her school does these instead of a normal PTM at this age. The child sits with the parents and shows her work, and the teacher mostly listens. The note says 'please let your child lead'. She's very excited and keeps rehearsing what she'll show us, which is mostly one drawing of our building with a giant cat on it. Do I help her prepare, or just turn up and let it be whatever it is? Coaching a 6 year old for a meeting with her own mother feels a bit much.

1 comment

rose_gecko_20843 Sept 2026
We never had these, all CBSE and marks in our time. But from the teacher's side I'd guess the whole point is to hear what she picks and why. If you prepare her, they'll see your answers, not hers. Just ask her about the cat when you get there. That's probably the best conversation you'll have all term.
- lemon_kettle_95633 Sept 2026
  Fair. I'll stop asking her to 'practise'. The cat is apparently the watchman's cat, so there's a story there.
- ivory_spoon_85033 Sept 2026
  Our school had a 'portfolio day' in class 1 that was similar. My son spent ten of the fifteen minutes on a drawing of a lizard and two on all his maths. The teacher said afterwards that was completely normal and she learnt more from the lizard than the maths.