Just a thought ..
what about asking your partner if he or she will record the events taking place
in a typical plus exercise at home?
Before you start there must be some ethical considerations.
Whatever you observe of your partner and your child could make a permanent record
– be it a video or simply a written account with pertinent observations and
impressions.
Do you need to ask
your child’s permission?
This must depend on the scope and nature of the observation.
If the `diary’ is to be used as a weapon in an attempt to encourage diligence then
some serious discussion is needed. If, however, the findings are not be used in
a negative manner then your child’s views can simply be taken into account.
Do you tell your
child that he or she is being observed?
Is it likely that behaviour will change for the better if he
or she knows that an act of observation is taking place? Are you rather vague
about the reason for the observation? Are there any circumstances when the element
of basic trust can be broken?
Do you discuss the results
with your child?
Conscience plays a large part in the thoughts and feelings
of most parents!
Do you discuss the results
with others?
Is this in front or your child? Will you be able to have a
freer discussion if your child is not present?
There may be some elements in any recording of an eleven
plus lesson that simply do not need to be stored for posterity. Slips of the tongue, fumbles over simple
points and anguish over errors may not be germane to any future discussions.
