Parent-teacher conferences can feel intimidating for many families—but they don’t have to. In this special Cross Talk episode with our sister show Tiny Talks on Early Learning, we talk with Dr. Tricia Shelton and Paula Reese about how parents and educators can work together to better support children. Drawing from Dr. Shelton’s new book, Partnering for Success: Strategies for Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences, the conversation offers practical tips for parents to feel more confident, heard, and empowered during school conversations—especially when navigating developmental differences or additional support needs.

Key Takeaways for Listeners:

1. Parents are valuable partners in their child’s learning and development.

2. Going into conferences with questions and goals can help parents feel more confident and involved.

3. Strong parent-teacher relationships create better support systems for children.

4. Conversations about challenges are more productive when everyone starts from a place of strengths and understanding.

5. Even small shifts in communication can help families feel more connected, supported, and empowered.

Additional Online Resources:

• Elevating Early Childhood Family-Teacher Conferences: From Meetings to Meaningful Connections(Free Webinar with EdWeb, August 2025) 

• Supporting Young Learners with Autism (Free Webinar with Edweb, August 2016) 

• Conversations that Count: Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work (Early Childhood Chapters Podcast, September 2025) 

Interested in Practical Strategies for Young Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder? Find It HERE!

Get information about Dr. Shelton’s new publication, Partnering for Success: Strategies for Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences, HERE!