Helping children with learning difficulties
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If your child has a learning difficulty, whether a mental handicap, or a form of attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, or something else, it can be difficult to figure out ways to help them in school. Many parent find that because they do not know where to start to help their child with a learning difficulty, they simply don't. If you have a child with a learning difficulty, there are some things you can do to help them in school. The following are a few tips:
Check for understanding.
In many cases, when a child with learning difficulty does poorly in school it is because no one took the time to make sure they understood the concept or the homework assignment. For example, a teacher may ask the students to write an essay, then outline some ways to write a good essay, such as start with an outline of the ideas you want to express. A child with learning difficulty may tune out part of that, and only hear the part about essay outlines. Thus, when they turn in their homework, instead of an essay, they turn in an outline. They do not get a good grade because it is incomplete, and then their esteem falls some because they thought they did it right.
If your child has a learning difficulty, take the time to ensure they understand the directions. Have them repeat back to you what it is that they are supposed to do. Talk to their teacher and ask them to write down all instructions for your child so there is less chance of misunderstanding, and to give you a call if there is a difficult or complicated project coming up. In addition, ask the teacher to check with your child for understanding before moving on. You can let them know that you do not expect them to always wait for your child, as this might hold back the rest of the class, but you would like to know what subjects and areas they need extra help on when they get home.
Guided practice.
How to assess if your child has learning difficulty
There are several different ways to assess if a child has learning difficulty or not. The following are a look at a few of the methods:
Written tests.
Your child can take a written test that will help you know if your child has a learning difficulty, however as a parent these can be very difficult to deal with as they often require your child to labor over worksheets and tests for several hours. These are some of the best indicators, however, of what they have difficulty doing.
Observation.
In many cases observation will work for determining if your child has learning difficulty. Physical characteristics can often give it away, or in some cases their inattention, hyperactivity, or other factors that affect learning show through while playing, or even sleeping. An expert can pick up on those without having to put your child through any rigorous or frustrating testing.
Parent observation.
In some cases a child can be diagnosed with a learning difficulty simply by having the parents answer a series of routine questions about their child. The answers to these questions help experts determine if the child is a likely candidate for learning difficult. If the parent observation leads experts to believe your child may suffer from learning difficulty, other tests may follow.
The second thing you can do for your child with learning difficulty is to work on guided practice, especially of subjects or subject matters they struggle with. For example, if your child is doing poorly with spelling, you can create spelling practice sheets, and sit there and help them do them each day. Just giving your child something to do to practice areas of weakness is not enough. Your child may not be able to pay attention or understand. You have to be there to help them through the rough spots, to explain the things they do not understand, and to correct mistakes immediately so that they are not actually learning things wrong.
When you are using guided practice, you can make things really fun for your child so that learning is not just lists, worksheets, and reading. Often times your child is not misunderstanding the subject because it is beyond their mental capacity, but simply because they are not interested enough in the subject to wrap their mind around it. Make it fun. If you are teaching multiplication, for example, give them fun examples. For example, fill plastic Easter eggs with candies, and show them how to multiply by thinking, if I have one egg with 4 candies in it, how many candies would I have if I had 4 eggs. Suddenly it is something they have an interest in, and the answer of 16 is a tangible thing.
Feedback and error correction.
The next step to helping your child with learning difficulty is the process of giving them positive feedback, and error correction. It is critical that you do not let your child learn things incorrectly. It is a process to learn something as it is, so to have to relearn something is a waste of time and energy for everyone involved. So, when you have a child with learning difficulty you need to plan on a great deal of involvement in their education process. You need to be there to go over their work quickly, and give them feedback that is positive. You need to encourage their efforts, and give them praise when they do well. In addition, if you notice errors, or if they need to improve behavior, you need to address it immediately.
Children with learning difficulty need structure in order to learn. So, if you can have an approach that gives them feedback, and error correction, immediately, they will learn to find their own mistakes, and take a sense of ownership and pride over their work.
Gradually withdraw aid.
As you work with your child, it is important to be there step by step to teach and guide them, but it is just as important to teach them how to do things on their own. You can't always be there to check their homework, or to call their group for a group project, etc. So, you have to give your child the right tools to become independent and still do well. So, as you teach, gradually withdraw aid from them. This may mean that for the first term of the year you sit with them all through their homework, and go over it step by step. In the second term you may be in the room, and checking their work as they complete it. In the third term you have them bring completed work to you to check, and in their fourth term you allow them to check their own work.
Independent practice and application.
Your goal as a parent is to teach your child with learning difficulty to get past it and still do well. This means that they are going to learn skills that play to their strengths so that despite their learning difficulty they do indeed learn and grow. Once you have taught your child these skills, it is time to let them apply them without you there. The more they do this and succeed, the more confident they will become in their abilities.
In addition to the above suggestions, there are some things you can do as a parent on a regular basis to help secure success for your child with learning difficulty. You have to remember that they really do have a difficulty, and that while things may be easier for you, you have to think of them. The following are some tips for helping your child to become more independent, and a better learner on their own:
Tip one: Do their homework with them. This is similar to hiring a tutor for your child. As you do their homework with them you have the opportunity to show them how to think through the problems, and develop basic learning skills. Obviously you do not want to do their homework for them, but help them learn how to reason through problems by example. Sometimes modeling the correct behavior is the best way to achieve it.
Tip two: Make sure assignments come home. Often it is not that your child is not smart enough to get good grades, or learn, but that they are not organized enough to keep track of assignments, due dates etc. Help your child by putting together a daily planner or sheet signed by the teacher that outlines what they need to do. This way they have a reminder.
Tip three: Focus on structure. Learning difficulty is best addressed with a routine and structure. As part of that structure you should establish a specific place in your home where homework should be done. It does not matter where this is, as long as they have one. So, if your child hates being alone in a quiet room, set up their homework station in the kitchen, or other high traffic areas of your home.
Tip four: Establish when homework should be done. Most parents have found that a set homework time is extremely effective. When that time is, is up to you. Right after a long day at school may not be the best time for a child with learning difficulty. They may need a mental and physical break. So, consider having a snack ready for them, and an activity or play date, followed by a set time for homework. enforce this time. The hour after dinner could be a very effective option.
Tip five: Figure out what helps your child concentrate. In many cases, turning on the radio is a great way to help your child focus. It blocks out some of the thoughts and distractions that take away from homework. TV does not work. Having a parent in the room, or another child doing their homework in the room may also be effective.
Tip six: Know when enough is enough. With a child with learning difficulty this is critical. Your child is only going to be able and willing to absorb so much learning at any given time. Learn to watch for the signals that your child is done, and take a break so that things stay positive and learning is fun, not tedious for your child. If you find that your child is struggling with how much homework they are being assigned, ask the teacher about your options.
Tip seven: Start all homework with your child to make sure they understand it. Instead of waiting for them to come to you for help, start with help to ensure they do it right from the begining.
Tip eight: Make sure your child has what they need before they start. If your child has used the bathroom, found their calculator and sharpened their pencil before they start math homework, they will be better about sticking with it, and getting through it all.
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