Monitoring your child’s progress in kindergarten
In my last blog, I shared some ways families can support the development of children with disabilities or delays and work with the school to help them have a successful start. Now that school is in session, the next step is to understand how they are doing.
A typical day in an early childhood program can include children participating in learning activities, creative play, lunch and snack time, circle time, and more. This includes many transitions, and opportunities to build communication, social, and independence skills. With so much happening throughout the day, families may wonder how their child is doing, what progress they are making, and if they are getting the support they need.
When they wonder how their child is doing in school, families may start thinking about grades, progress reports, report cards or their child’s progress on IEP goals. Those things are important, but it is also important to understand they do not have to wait to get updates from the school to find out how their child is doing. It is helpful to get an update as early as possible, so consider checking in with your child’s teacher and other members of the school staff throughout the year. Doing so can help you better understand what is going well, where your child may be struggling, and whether they are getting the support they need.
Talking with staff about your child’s progress should not be complicated. By asking a few simple questions, you can get the information you need to understand how your child is doing.
Here are a few questions you can ask to help you stay informed:
What progress have you seen with my child?
This question can help you learn what new skills your child is learning and any changes they have noticed since the beginning of the school year.
How is my child doing during the school day?
This question can help you understand how your child is doing with moving from one activity to another, getting used to routines, communicating and playing with others, and participating in activities.
Is there anything my child is having a hard time with right now?
This question gives staff a chance to tell you about any concerns they have so you can understand your child’s needs and work with the staff to develop a plan of support.
How is my child doing with their IEP goals?
This question can help you understand the progress your child is making on their IEP goals and identify any areas where they may need more support.
How are the current supports and accommodations being provided and are they enough to meet my child’s needs?
This question can help you determine if the current support and accommodations are actually being provided and enough for your child to participate, learn, and make progress.
Regular communication is the key
By asking the right questions, you can stay informed about your child’s progress, celebrate the things that are going well, and identify concerns as soon as possible. Regular communication with your child’s teacher and other members of the school team can help you better understand your child’s needs, the support they’re getting, and any other support they may need. It also gives you a chance to share things about your child that could help the staff better understand their strengths, routines, interests and what works at home. Remember, you do not have to wait until there is a problem to ask questions and stay involved in your child’s learning. The more you know about how your child is doing, the better prepared you are to support their growth and success.