Things to remember as you begin:

 This task can be divided between parents, or completed together. As you work, provide detailed answers to the questions below.  Include influences on your child’s life. Understanding these influences can help you navigate the peaks and valleys of your child’s learning experiences. Write down your answers. Try keeping a notebook for your findings. Writing your conclusions will help you find clarity and develop a greater understanding of your child.  As you answer the questions remember to consider your child’s study and learning environments, as well as extra activities. This includes all classes, clubs, religious activities, sports, etc.  You can learn a great deal about your child by finding out how he/she is functioning in various settings.  Before you begin, read over the questions. Adjust this process to meet the needs of your child, by adding or subtracting questions. There are many ways to write your answers. You can write in sentence form, you can use your answers to create a chart.  Choose the best way for you to record your answers.  

So, let’s begin!  Provide detailed answers to the questions below.

•  Where does your child spend his/her time? Make a list of each setting and then answer the following questions. 
• What happens when your child is each setting? Who are the people he/she associates with in each setting? In which setting does your child spend most of the time? What are the characteristics of each setting? i.e. friendly, healthy, a good place to learn, etc.
• In which settings are your child doing well? Find out what makes your child successful in each setting.
• Are there areas where your child is not doing well? Find out why your child is not doing well.
• What are your child’s strengths in each setting?  What are the strengths of each setting?
• What are the weaknesses in each setting? Where does your child need extra help? What type of help?
• What opportunities/resources are available for your child and your family in each setting?
• What could threaten to undermine your child’s progress in each setting?

After completing your investigation, decide where you want to focus your attention and goals. Write down your ideas. Discuss your ideas and conclusions with other adults in the family. What do they have to contribute to your conclusions?  Also, think about the influences that affect your child’s education. Understanding these influences can help you navigate the peaks and valleys of your child’s learning experiences. It also helps you set realistic goals for your child and for your family. If you are working through this process with others you will need to find time to share each person’s findings and conclusions. You may all agree, or you may need to build consensus on your mission, priorities, etc.

Once you have completed this section, you are ready to go on to step 2.