Five major challenges to your child’s learning – and what to do about them
There are many learning problems that children face. Many of these have always been an issue. Some are more accentuated today than in years past. Thanks to scientific progress, many can be more easily assessed. Thanks to the assessment many can be more properly dealt with than even a few years ago.
Bullying
Is bullying worse today than it was twenty years ago? Or has social media made us more aware of the bullying than we could have been in the past? Whatever the answer, bullying has a very detrimental impact on any child. The special needs child is often more readily the target than other kids.
Bullying can lead to low self-esteem. This negatively impacts learning. It is a distraction. It fosters an environment where a child doesn’t want to be. Not wanting to learn for fear of bullying is a very real scenario.
What to do
Always make sure that your children know that you will believe them. Foster a relationship where they feel comfortable talking to you about anything. Bullying is often very embarrassing for a child. Take action the moment your child lets you know what is going on. Parents must always balance teaching children to cope on their own and supporting them. In the case of bullying always err on the side of intervening rather than allowing it to continue.
Low Motivation
Low motivation has a range of factors. Bullying can be a factor. Not seeing any personal application of the lessons is another. Fear of failure is another.
What to do
Don’t heap up unfair expectations on your child. Rather encourage them to do the best they can. Moving from a C to C+ will be much more encouraging than trying to move to an A.
Meet your child where they are at, and celebrate even their small progress and victories. Showing your interest and love for them will be a powerful motivating factor.
Speech Challenges
Speech disorders can be minor stuttering to severe difficulty in grasping grammar. These can indicate a learning problem unique to the disorder the child is struggling with.
What to do
It is vital to get your child checked out by a professional. There has been incredible progress in assessing speech disorders in the last 30 years. Correct diagnosis will mean correct treatment. When you know what your child is struggling with the correct course to treat the disorder can be taken.
Not enough emotional support
Emotional needs are a very special and precious part of who we are. Special needs children have specific emotional needs. When these aren’t being met, seeing a decline in academic performance often follows.
What to do
Always assure your children that you never think they are “dumb”. Take an interest in them as individuals. Look for the way to encourage them in what they are good at. Where they struggle, encourage them to do their best. They will see the rewards of their effort. Always let them know that you love them no matter what.
Dyslexia
Imagine the challenge of learning when the written figures on a page or screen are constantly rearranging themselves. There are various types of dyslexia. One even specifically affects numbers rather than letters.
What to do
While much still needs to be learned about dyslexia, progress has been made. Ensure that your kids know that what they are struggling with is real. Also, let them know that some of the most successful people on the planet right now struggle with this. Use some techniques like reading something while listening to the audio on a CD as well. Dyslexia is a real challenge. But it can’t keep those willing to deal with it from accomplishing great things.
Many people have faced and overcome these and other challenges. Giving our kids the loving support they need will ensure that they achieve their full potential.
