If you feel your child isn't being challenged academically, what should a parent do? Education expert, Elizabeth Cook, suggests involving the teacher to help a clever girl fulfil her potential.

Raisingkids member's problem
My daughter is in Year 1 and has been telling me the work she has done at school is very easy and sometimes she finds it boring. She brings a book home for reading almost every day.

A fortnight ago, I discovered her teacher was reading some other students' work while my daughter was reading to her. She told me her teacher didn't listen to her. Furthermore, sometimes there are some questions in the book. I expected her teacher had already gone through them with her, as she always gives my daughter very good comments in the record book. I was so surprised when my daughter told me she just read the books and her teacher didn't ask her to try to answer the questions at all i.e. just read the words and ignore the questions.

For the long term, her learning attitude must get worse. Perhaps her teacher thinks she is good at reading and ahead of the others so she doesn't need much help. From my point of view, it's unfair that my daughter is marking time while the others are making progress. I really want the best for my daughter that's why I send her to a private school. I am wondering whether I should say something to her teacher. If so, how can I say it nicely? If not, what's your opinion?

Elizabeth's advice
I think that you should go and see your daughter's teacher and share with her your concerns. It does sound as though your daughter is a good reader and your assumptions may well be correct about the teacher's attitude. However, you are also correct in expecting your child to be set tasks which challenge her, not merely keep her busy and I think it is fair to express this view. Every child should be working towards their own potential, not that of the majority of the class.

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