With school back in full swing, you may be curious what your child is learning. The 2014-15 school year is the first time the Common Core State Standards are fully implemented, which means your child may be learning new and more challenging content. You probably want to make sure your child is doing OK and lend a hand if he or she needs it. Of course, to do that, you have to be aware of how school is going. Here are a few tips for talking to your child about his or her education:
Ask specific and open-ended questions
Asking "How was school today?" may seem like a solid way to get the ball rolling, but many children find this question tough. It's very broad, so it's difficult to answer. In many cases, kids just respond with "fine." Instead of being vague, make sure your questions are detailed and open-ended. For instance, you can ask "What new game are you playing in gym?" or "Do you like the book your teacher is reading in English?"
Sit back and listen
Once your child gets talking about a topic, let him or her get it all out rather than ask more questions. You may want to hear specifics, but interrupting to learn more could derail your child. Listen actively and save follow-up questions for later. Not only will you have better idea of what your child's school day is like, but they'll be happy knowing you cared enough to listen – this could even make talking about school easier in the future.
Acknowledge concerns
Your child is bound to run into a few obstacles throughout his or her academic career. Whether he or she is having a hard time with Common Core math or doesn't like a certain topic, your child's concerns are valid. Get a good idea of what exactly is challenging and brainstorm ways you can help him or her get through it.
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