It can be very hard sometimes to tell if your child is having problems at school, at least until reports cards come Unfortunately, most schools only offer very minimal information about coursework and expectations and of course talking about school may not be something that our kids want to do with you every day. This makes it difficult for parents to judge how well their children is mastering the material.
Here are some quick tips which can help you check up on your child’s schoolwork without having to wait for report-card time:
- Talk to your child about her classwork. Does she feel confident? Does she say whether she is keeping up or feels behind the rest of the kids?
- Take notice of any comments that the teacher is giving on the papers.
- Check the work that your child brings home each day. You may have to dig through crumpled papers at the bottom of her backpack. Ask what assignments her teacher is giving the class.
- Do not be afraid to talk to your child’s teacher. Schedule a meeting if need be.
- Most of the time the teacher will send home progress reports in between report cards. Are you getting them? If not then be sure to keep up with your child’s reports from now on.
How can I tell if my child is struggling at school before report card time?
Start by checking the papers your child brings home every day—look for teacher comments and patterns in the feedback. Ask your child directly how she feels about her classwork: Is she confident? Does she feel like she’s keeping up with her classmates? These small daily check-ins can catch problems much earlier than waiting for a formal report.
Should I talk to my child’s teacher if I’m worried about their schoolwork?
Absolutely—don’t hesitate to schedule a meeting. Most teachers welcome a parent who’s paying attention and wants to stay involved. You can also ask the teacher what assignments the class is currently working on, so you know exactly what to watch for when your child brings work home.
What are progress reports, and should I be receiving them?
Most schools send home progress reports between report cards to give parents an update on how their child is doing. If you haven’t been getting them, it’s worth checking in with the teacher to make sure you’re on the distribution list and aren’t missing important updates about your child’s progress.
Add Comment