These key questions open the pathway for your child’s school success

The new school year is underway. Students, teachers and parents have settled back into the regular routine (for the most part). It’s time to check in. Do you know how your child is doing? Do you know how you can best help your child find school success? Ask these 2 simple, key questions to get the answers and results you need:

When and how will I be told how my student is doing?

What are the expectations for homework?

When and how will I be told how my student is doing?

Whatever your child’s grade, the first thing you should know is when and how the school plans to inform you about your child’s progress. If the school doesn’t provide you with this information at the beginning, now is the time to contact your school’s point person. This liaison could be the division administrative assistant, the actual classroom teacher, an academic advisor, or another designated member of the school staff. Find out who is the best contact for your child. If the first parent-teacher conference is after October, that might be a little late to catch any concerns and address them with the proper resources. Perhaps you are seeing signs of struggle with your student right now. Consider contacting the school proactively with your specific concerns.

What are the expectations for homework?

When your child is in the elementary school years, they are in the process of learning how to learn.  The complexity of the material increases as they advance through the grades. The amount of homework they receive increases as well. No matter what type of student you have, you should know what the expectations are for your child’s homework:

• How long should it take?
• What materials are necessary for my child to complete homework?
• Should I try and help if my child gets stuck?
• If your child shows any signs of distress (avoidance, fatigue, resistance, getting upset), you should communicate with your child’s teacher right away to alleviate the pressure and modify the approach.

All along the way, be a good listener and provide constructive suggestions that can be realistically carried out as your child navigates each year of school and beyond. You will probably have many more questions as you go, but being proactive and getting the answers to these key questions we’ve explored will help you address the here-and-now, plan for the future, and set your child on the path to success.

Find out what to ask at these grade levels:

Middle School: 2 Key Questions You Should Be Asking

High School: 2 Key Questions You Should Be Asking