It can be hard to tell if your son or daughter is having problems at school until reports cards come out. Most schools offer only 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 a few ways which can get involved that will help you check up on your child’s schoolwork without having to wait for report-card time:
- Never be afraid to talk to your child’s teacher. Schedule a meeting if need be. At teacher parenting conferences let the teacher know they are free to contact you if there are any problems or issues. The key is to get involved.
- Another way to get involved is to join your local PTA. There are a number of benefits, not only for you, but for your child. By joining the Parent Teachers Association you know only get a voice in what is going on locally, you get a chance to connect and build relationships with other parents and teachers. Here is some more information on the excellent benefits of joining the PTA.
- 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.
- 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 cards come out?
A few practical steps help: check the papers and assignments your child brings home daily, take note of teacher comments on returned work, and ask whether your child feels confident or behind. Most schools also send home progress reports between report cards—make sure you’re receiving them, and follow up with the teacher if not.
Should I reach out to my child’s teacher if I’m concerned?
Absolutely. Schedule a meeting rather than waiting for the next conference. At parent-teacher conferences, let the teacher know you welcome a call or email if any problems come up. Getting involved early makes it much easier to address small struggles before they become bigger ones.
What is the PTA and how does joining help my child?
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) gives parents a direct voice in what’s happening at their child’s school. Joining also connects you with other parents and teachers, which builds the kind of relationships that make it easier to stay informed about your child’s progress and advocate for their needs.
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