When your child has learning and attention issues, it can seem like you spend a lot of time talking about challenges. But building on your child’s strengths is just as important when it comes to helping him succeed.
What are your child’s strengths? Here’s a list to help identify them. You can print it out by clicking the view or download button below.
General 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
Social Strengths
- 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)
Language Strengths
- 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)
Literacy Strengths
- 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
Math Strengths
- 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
Get tips on how to talk to your child about strengths and weaknesses. Explore the best ways to praise your child’s efforts and achievements. And read more about the importance of self-esteem.
You may also want to try a hands-on activity to identify your child’s strengths—one you and your child can work on together.
