How to Test to Find Your Child’s Math and Reading Level?--Help for Parents

Development is critical during the young ages before adolescence until after puberty. That is exactly why it is important to know the level of your child when it comes to math and reading. If you don't, you may prevent them from getting the right learning process they deserve.

Knowing Your Child's Math Level

Alternatively known as a child's math age, you should know the potential of your child especially when it comes to this intensive field of learning. Mathematics can be easy or difficult to grasp depending on the child, so to ensure that your child gets the proper education, here are ways to evaluate his or her level:

- Printable Placement Tests - These tests, available online, can help you gage your child's performance level to see if he or she is having any difficulty with the material. Also, these tests are administered at schools upon request. This can help you analyze the attention needed for a certain year of mathematics. You can also use online math diagnostic assessments to help as well.

- Ask the Teacher - Probably one of the best forms in knowing your child's level, ask his or her teacher for feedback on classroom performance. Teachers know very well how students cope with the demands of mathematics, so this will give you a clear idea on what your child needs.

Knowing Your Child's Reading Level

Your child's reading level will determine the vocabulary and language capacity that he or she has the potential for his or her age group. Providing the best learning process for the right level can shape very eloquent learners later on, so take some time to really understand your child's reading level.

- DRA Reading Levels - Otherwise known as the Developmental Reading Assessment test, this is the most popular method of determining your child's reading level. This test is composed of phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle/phonics, and fluency. The DRA test is administered either once or twice a year. The results will determine the educational treatment they will receive which focuses on the optimal development the child deserves.

- Ask the Teacher - Like knowing your child's math level, you can learn about how your child approaches literature by asking the teacher. The teacher has worked with your child and has observed his or her performance during classes, so they can give you feedback on your child's progress. You can also use online reading diagnostic assessments to help as well.

When children learn at a pace that they are too advanced or unprepared for, they may face problems later on in life. For instance, a highly qualified child learning material of a level lower than his or her capacity may lose the opportunity at greater goals later on life. Also, if a child with difficulty in reading is forced to take material that is nowhere near his or her supposed level, he or she may face the burden of being "not smart" and may result in psychological and even emotional problems later on.

Prevent these from happening by learning about your child's math and reading levels. After all, their education is an important aspect of their development, so start out correctly and your child will smile a whole lot more often with the satisfaction that they're learning progresses just as it is supposed to.