Beyond the Test: Authentic Assessment

Formal tests don't tell you much about what a young child really understands. They tell you if a child can perform on command under pressure on that particular day, not if they've built deep, lasting understanding.

By carefully observing and listening, you can gain profound insights into your child's learning journey.

Here's what actually reveals understanding:

Watch them work

Observe your child as they tackle problems:

  • Do they reach for manipulatives, draw pictures, or work mentally?

  • Do they use efficient strategies or count by ones?

  • Can they solve problems multiple ways?

  • Do they check their work?

  • How do they respond to mistakes?

    What it tells you:

    Their approach reveals their thinking. A child who still needs to draw every single object is at a different place than one using mental strategies. Both are fine but they need different instruction.

Listen to Their Explanations

Engage your child with probing questions:

  • "How did you figure that out?"

  • "Why does that work?"

  • "Can you explain your thinking?"

  • "How do you know that's correct?"

  • "Could you solve it a different way?"

Listen for:

  • Can they explain clearly, using the right vocabulary?

  • Does their explanation reveal understanding or just memorization?

  • Can they connect to other concepts?

    Red flag: If they say "I just know" or "That's what you do," they might be memorizing without understanding.

    Green flag: If they can explain the why and show the how, understanding is there.

Notice Real-Life Application

Watch for:

  • Do they spot concepts in everyday situations without prompting?

  • Can they apply concepts to new contexts?

  • Do they make connections between concepts?

  • Do they use the vocabulary naturally?

Examples:

  • "Look, that's a rectangular prism!" (when they see a tissue box)

  • "We need 3 groups of 4, so that's 12!" (distributing snacks)

  • "It's 3:45, so we have 15 minutes until 4:00." (without being asked)

Assessment Is Ongoing, Not a Single Event

You're not assessing TO assign a grade. You're assessing TO guide instruction.

Every conversation, every activity, every project tells you something about what your child understands and what they need next.

Pay attention. Adjust accordingly. That's it.

Use Informal Checkpoints

Concept conversations: "Tell me everything you know about multiplication (or solids)." Their response reveals depth.

Problem-solving tasks: Present a new problem using concepts they've learned. Can they apply their knowledge?

Teaching moments: "Can you teach this to your younger sibling/stuffed animal/me?" Teaching reveals understanding.

Error analysis: Show them someone's incorrect work: "What mistake did they make? How would you fix it?"

Create your own: "Make up a word problem about division." If they can create, they understand.

Recognize Different Ways of Knowing

Understanding shows up differently for different kids:

Verbal processors explain everything out loud clearly.

Visual thinkers might struggle to explain but draw brilliant models.

Kinesthetic learners need to move and touch to show understanding.

Logical thinkers might skip steps because they see patterns immediately.

All valid. Don't expect every child to demonstrate understanding the same way.

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