Parent questionnaires help teachers assess the child by reviewing parental input. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire, by Dr. Brickers and Dr. Squires, allows parents to screen for developmental delays for children under 5. It covers five main areas: problem solving, communication, gross and fine motor skills, and personal and social skills. This screening allows parents to monitor children at risk for any developmental delays and to see what stage the child is at in each area. The flexible, reasonably-priced, 30-item questionnaire takes 10 to 20 minutes to administer and assesses the child's level at each stage.
The Child Development Inventory, developed for use by parents to assess children between the ages of 18 months and age 6, uses 300 items in nine areas to rate children. The areas include language expression, gross and fine motor skills, letters, numbers, self-help, general development and language comprehension.
The Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II) uses an objective measurement tool to confirm suspected developmental problems for children up to 6 years old. The test assesses four areas of functioning, including language skills, fine and gross motor skills and personal and social interaction. The child's performance in each of these key areas determines if he suffers from developmental delays. The scorer observes the child in the classroom and rates his performance in each area. These areas are then compared with the normal range for children his age. The scorer also reviews how many questions are below the acceptable range. Parents and educators can monitor those areas through more frequent screenings. Professionals can administer the test in 10 to 20 minutes. However, it may not predict later difficulties in school.
The Early Screening Inventory-Revised (ESI-R), created by a team of professionals, screens children whose teachers believe may need special education classes. Concerned adults look at any developmental delays and respond to those needs. The ESI-R can be used with at-risk children from 3 to 6 years old, and tests their abilities in the areas of cognitive development, language skills and visual motor and adaptive skills. Parents provide input as well. The test takes 15 to 20 minutes to administer.
When parents and teachers meet together to address any concerns regarding the preschooler, they compare questions and concerns. By working together for the benefit for the child, parents and educators can compare behaviors of the child at home and at school.