When does your child thrive?

Take this quick questionnaire to reflect on the best learning environment for your child. What wakes up their curiosity? What kind of school setting do they thrive in? What kind of teachers do they connect with the most?

Even if you can’t choose your child’s school, identifying what situations your child thrives in will give you important information. Consider sharing this with your child’s teacher or counselor to help them understand how and when your child learns best.

After you answer the questions below, have your child review your responses.

1. When was a time that your child expressed curiosity?

Where were they? Who were they with? At school or outside of school?

Sample answer: Working on set design. At their after-school theater class. Castmates. After school.

Child check: Do you agree? Yes / No

2. When was your child really excited about what they were learning?

What was the learning environment? Alone or with other people? What were they learning? Was there a larger purpose to the lesson?

Sample answer: Italian class. The teacher engaged the students and my son gathered insights from everyone. In a group setting. Italian. Yes, it wasn’t just about the grammar but included culture.

Child check: Do you agree? Yes / No

3. When have you seen your child at their happiest?

What were they doing? Was the learning self-led or structured by a teacher?

Sample answer: Designing an art project. Working on a sculpture. Learning was self-led.

Child check: Do you agree? Yes / No

4. What was your child’s favorite project or assignment in school?

Was it hands-on? In a group or independent? What skills did they use? (e.g. building, math, drawing, writing, working in a group, computer skills, etc.)

Sample answer: Making a video about a book they read. It was very hands-on. They worked in a group but had independent roles within the group. Writing skills — my child wrote the script for the video.

Child check: Do you agree? Yes / No

5. Who was your child’s favorite teacher?

What was it about the teacher that worked well for your child? What did the teacher bring out in your child? What did they teach your child? (e.g. subject matter, learning about how to learn, life lessons, etc.)

Sample answer: Freshman ELA teacher and freshman and sophomore history teachers. ELA teacher taught critical writing skills but still allowed for creativity and provided constructive feedback throughout the project.

Child check: Do you agree? Yes / No

6. How does your child spend their free time outside of school?

Is this activity more brain-based or physical? How do you know your child likes to do this activity?

Sample answer: Writing, watching diverse films, and playing soccer. These activities are all brain-based and soccer is also very physical. I know my child likes doing all these activities because they don’t need to be prodded or care what time it is.

Child check: Do you agree? Yes / No

7. What motivates your child? (Pick 2):

Autonomy:
The what: “It’s my project!”
They are in control of what they’re making or learning.

Belonging:
The who: “I’m making this with/for XX.”
They care about who they are working with and who they’re making something for.

Purpose:
The why: “I’m doing this because…”
They care about why they’re doing the project or activity.

Mastery:
The how: “I’m going to do the very best job at…”
They like the challenge and care about being excellent at the activity.

Child check: Do you agree? Yes / No