Regularly Review and Discuss Work with Your Child

Have frequent informal conversations with your child about what they are learning. Ask them to explain concepts in their own words, review completed assignments together, and discuss what they found interesting or difficult. This ongoing dialogue provides deeper insight into comprehension and critical thinking than formal tests alone.

Why It Works

Narration, a method championed by the Charlotte Mason educational philosophy, requires children to organize and articulate what they have absorbed. When a child can explain a topic clearly, they have genuinely understood it. When they struggle, you identify gaps immediately rather than discovering them weeks later on a test. Regular discussion also builds communication skills and makes learning a shared experience.

Tips

• Ask open-ended questions like "What was the most important thing you learned today?" rather than yes/no questions
• Let younger children draw or act out what they learned if verbal narration is difficult
• Keep brief notes on these discussions as informal assessment records
• Use meal times or car rides as natural opportunities for learning conversations