You may ask how science

is going. Or if English is getting any easier.

But what are you really asking? Chances are you want to know how your teen’s grades are. That is an important concern, but the learning process is just as important. Show interest in what your teen is learning:

• Show your teen you are interested in what he is learning, not just his grades.

• Ask what books he is reading. What questions does he have about the story?

• Ask about his most recent test. But don’t ask about the grade. Does he thinks the test was a good way to measure how well he knew the material?

• Ask about accomplishments in learning. How did he handle the most difficult science problem he recently faced?

• Ask if he has had any class experiences that changed his way of thinking. You may be able to share some of your own school experiences that had a similar effect on you.

Questions like these show your teen that you are interested in what he is thinking. They also show you are concerned about his development. Both of these should let him know that learning is about far more than grades.

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