For some students, school doesn’t come easy. Some struggle with broad learning difficulties while others lack important skills, making it challenging for them to achieve grade-level expectations and get good grades. Here are a few common types of learning troubles and ways to address them at home:
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
There are different types of ADHD, and children can exhibit some or all of the typical symptoms, including difficulty learning, struggles with focus, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Having ADHD can make it difficult for children to complete tasks, stay organized with time and homework, keep themselves on track while working and pay attention.
A few things parents can do to help:
- Use a timer to help children stay aware of time and manage it better.
- Stick to a routine so children know what to expect in the mornings and evenings.
- Communicate regularly with the teacher about strategies that work in the classroom that parents can mimic at home.
- Implement a reward system to keep children working toward continuous improvement.
DISORGANIZATION
At a young age, being disorganized might seem like a small thing, but this can become very problematic when children reach junior high school. Disorganized students lose important things regularly, including homework and papers intended to come home to parents. They spin their wheels at homework time because they’re busy trying to find things they have misplaced, and they do not write down homework assignments in their planners.
A few ways parents can help:
- Set goals and expectations and hold children to them.
- Insist on daily use of a planner to record homework assignments and check off nightly tasks.
- Get children into a nightly routine of cleaning out binders and getting their backpacks ready for school the next day.
READING PROBLEMS
Reading problems can range from missing basic skills to learning disorders like dyslexia. Because school gets progressively more challenging every year, it is essential that parents address reading issues, even if they seem minor. While it is important to have an expert assess children who may be suffering from more than just typical reading challenges, here are a few things parents can do to help:
- Read nightly with children and pay attention to what causes them the most difficulty learning.
- Reach out to teachers to get their observations on what might be happening in the classroom.
- Get individualized tutoring help.
The above is certainly not a comprehensive list of the types of learning troubles your child might have, and keep in mind that every child is different. The point is this: struggles are unique for each student. No single solution works for everyone.
No matter what your child is dealing with, it can be overcome.
