How to Test My Child's Learning

How to Check Your Child's Understanding

Use Practice Tests

Your state's department of education likely offers practice standardized tests from previous years, which you can use to test your child's understanding. Answer keys are typically provided, so you can use the results as a guide for what concepts you should review at home. Practice tests can also function as an excellent review before the school year starts. Over the summer, give your child the standardized test from the previous year and create a quiet testing space to reacquaint your child with the school environment.

Ask Questions

While your child is reading a book, ask her questions about the text to test her understanding. For instance, you might ask, 'What was your favorite part of the story?' or 'Who is your favorite character?' If you notice that your child is unable to come up with detailed answers, then she may not be reading closely enough.

Help your child become an active reader by asking her to back up her opinions with textual evidence. Even if she says she doesn't like the book, ask her to defend her opinion. Perhaps the story's pace is too slow or something happened in the story that she disagrees with. If you continually ask your child comprehension and opinion questions after she finishes reading, then she'll begin to think of these questions on her own.

Real-Life Opportunities

Math is used frequently in everyday life, and you can capitalize on these opportunities to test your child's math skills. Test your child in discreet ways, such as when you're at a restaurant. Ask him to calculate a 20% tip for you. If he doesn't know how to multiply using decimals, then tutor him in math right then and there.

Similarly, help your child develop his communication skills by engaging in a real-world debate. Pick a topic that he'll be interested in, such as the best movie or most influential band. Without knowing it, he'll be constructing a persuasive argument with a thesis and support. The next time he is struggling to write a persuasive essay, remind him of how he organized his argument in the debate you had together.