How to observe your child's strengths and weaknesses

One-on-one time with your child is essential to learning your child's strengths and weaknesses.

Effective parenting requires keen observation of a child's strengths and weaknesses. The tabula rasa theory popularized by John Locke of the 17th century is replaced in the 21st century by nurture-acting-upon-nature theories proposed by researchers such as George W. Holden. Whereas the tabula rasa theory placed all the credit and all the blame for a child's outcome on parenting, today's child development experts encourage parents to study their child and to provide guidance and encouragement, based upon the child's proclivities and needs.

Instructions

1. Provide your child with a variety of play and learning experiences. It is not necessary to buy certain toys or to take your child to particular places to observe your child. Everyday activities and simple objects provide ample opportunity for getting to know your child when observation and discovery are your objectives.

2. Keep a notebook. Allow your child to have free time, undirected by you. Write your observations in the notebook. Include information regarding sensory, auditory and visual activities of your child.

3. Record information regarding your child's moods and attention span. Circadian rhythms and peak performance times vary from individual to individual. Research indicates that a child's internal clock is genetically predisposed.

4. Introduce math, reading and writing to your child. Count objects with your child. Introduce the alphabet and words through age-appropriate books. Provide your child with crayons and paper. Draw pictures with your child. Do not force your child to engage in either of these activities. Observe how your child reacts to these learning activities and how she incorporates this new knowledge into her self-directed activities.

5. Listen to your child. Your child's conversations provide a vast amount of information regarding your child's interests and cognitive abilities. Can your preschooler relate an event sequentially or give step-by-step instructions? Does your child demonstrate an understanding of cause and effect? Can your child memorize?

6. Determine your child's predominant learning style. There are three basic learning styles: auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Auditory learners remember what they hear. Visual learners remember what they see and kinesthetic learners remember what they do. Everyone learns through a combination of these styles, yet each person has a predominant way of learning. Knowledge of your child's predominant learning style provides clues to your child's strengths and weaknesses.

References

• Net Places; "Your Child's Strengths and Weaknesses;" Sherri Linsenbach
• Synapse Parenting: Key to Boost Child's Strengths
• Independent Psychotherapy Network; "Learning Disabilities: The Invisible but Very Real Disability"; Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D., June 2003
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: John Locke
• iParenting Network; Children and Circadian Rhythms; Carma Haley
• Parenting by Trial and Error; Night Owl? Morning Lark? It's in the Genes; Sarah E. Ludwig; Apr 29, 2009

Resources

• University of South Dakota: What's Your Learning Style?