Checklist: Know Your Child’s Strengths

Is able to work or play independently

Is interested in doing well

Understands and sets goals

Wants to/is eager to learn new things

Asks for help when needed

Works well/gets along well in groups

Works well/gets along well one-on-one

Is able to organize items and thoughts

Admits disappointments/mistakes and is able to move on

Has passions and hobbies

Can plan ahead

Makes good choices

Is curious and creative

Problem-solves well

Shares, takes turns and negotiates

Seeks out social interactions

Asks for help and comfort when needed

Is comforting and offers help when needed

Accepts personal responsibility for actions (good and bad)

Has a good sense of humor

Doesn’t follow the crowd (resists peer pressure)

Follows rules and routines well

Accepts redirection well

Is able to make friends and keep them

Is truthful and honest

Has positive relationships with adults

Shows empathy and sensitivity to others

Likes to help others

Reacts appropriately when frustrated (such as not hitting)

Is able to express needs, wants and ideas verbally

Uses inflection and expression when speaking

Understands jokes, puns and riddles

Can talk about events in the correct and logical order

Understands the give-and-take of conversation

Uses grammar appropriate to his age

Has and uses a growing vocabulary

Is interested in listening to stories, music and other activities

Participates in discussions at home, at school and with friends

Answers who, what, when, where questions in conversation (or about a story)

Enjoys reading

Can match letters to sounds and sounds to letters

Is able to sound out unfamiliar words

Recognizes sight words

Can follow written directions

Recalls and retells stories and facts after reading

Can make predictions based on what’s happened so far in the story

Can pause when reading and return to that sentence after being interrupted

Reads accurately and with expression

Figures out what new words mean by looking at the context or asking questions

Has creative and imaginative ideas; likes to tell stories

Makes connections between reading material and personal experiences

Sees and understands patterns in nature and in numbers

Remembers math facts and can perform mental math

Thinks logically

Understands math concepts and can apply them to the real world

Uses and understands math vocabulary