How to Avoid Summer Brain Drain?

BY CAROL VERAVANICH
Columnist
Q. Is anyone else out there worried about summer brain drain? I know I am. My son is in kindergarten, so this is the summer before first grade for us. He is recently doing a lot. Learning a lot, I mean. How can I keep him on the right track and ready for a full day come next September. I need specifics. Tell me what to do and I will do it.
A. Many parents worry about summer brain drain, so you are not alone. This is a common question from parents, particularly in the primary grades. The younger the child, the more eager the parent is to help him or her excel.
It may sound simple, but you need to read to your child every day. I will be very specific with you since you asked for direction.
You need to read at least 3 books (preferably more) to your child every day, ask him to read or tell you at least one story every day, and do a large summer journal with your child. Buy a large tablet of construction paper. Each day or at least 3 times a week, both of you should sit down and draw a picture in your journals. You should write a sentence or two about your picture and then have your child tell you about his picture. He may want you to write a sentence for him, or you can encourage him to try to label his picture with letters or sounds he knows.
Exercise is important and math should play a part in some of your games. Kids at this age need to feel and experience numbers. "Jump three times, roll over twice, then run and find four sticks and make a square, ready, go!" If you play simple games like this, your child knows you are interested in him and full of fun ideas. He also knows you will play with him at the park and not just sit and wait for him to tire out.
Of course, you should plan for plenty of free time where his imagination takes him where he wants to go, but jump in and play with him too.
Also, turn the TV off. If you must have him watch some TV, try to make a rule that is does not come on before lunch. Whatever you do, do not start a very young child's day with TV. You are asking him to wake up and then tune out if you sit him in front of the television.
As you prepare him for a full day of school, you should ask him to wake each day and get ready to "do" something constructive. If the TV is not an option, both of you will be looking for something to do each day. First grade teachers know the kids that have been waking all summer to TV as a babysitter. They are quite difficult to engage and attention problems almost always play a part for these kids.
Last, but not least, shop and cook with your child. Have him help with recipes and get his hands as dirty as you can stand. This is reading, math and science all rolled up in a lot of fun for children of this age. You can also plan some fun outings, like trips to tide pools, museums, the library (at least once a week), and any other destination you and your child find interesting. Experience this summer with him. Time flies and you will be happy you found the time.
Let me know what you think of my summer plan.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Learning Games on the Webs

Q. Could you recommend a good web site with learning games? My computer is good, but I am not good with it. Can you help me find something for my daughter who is 6?

A. You should first go to your school district web page. My school district has a stellar program called Grade Level Gold (http://www.gradelevelgold.com/). You can sign up for weekly newsletters with links or just explore sites for particular grade levels.
Your district may have something similar. Another site I really like is http://gamequarium.com/. If you have trouble pulling up games on your home computer, because of plug-ins or internet speed, set aside time to go to your local library to use their computers to explore sites like these.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Five Fab Family Favorites

School's out! Check out our "secret" picks for quick and easy summer trips.

By DAVID WHITING Register columnist

Gas is more than $3 a gallon. The kids aren't really ready for a long car trip. You've already burned vacation time.
So, what are you going to do that's new and special this summer? How about a series of shorter excursions, trips in your own backyard where you can make it home for supper – or even lunch.
Here are Outdoors' top five summer "secrets:"

Turtle Pond, El Dorado Regional Park
What:Awesome turtle pond with plenty of turtles sunning themselves on logs and rocks. Plus a great visitor center. Plus a wooden bridge to watch the critters.
Who:Children or the child in anyone. What's cooler than turtles, anyway?
Where: Just over the county line in Long Beach, 7550 E. Spring St.; take 605 Freeway, head west on Spring Street; vehicle entry fee: $4, Monday-Friday, $6, Saturday-Sunday, $7 holidays; 562-570-1771.
When: Mornings or mild afternoons.
Tip:Plan for an extra hour or two and check out the two miles of trails that go by a decent size lake and through an oak forest. Bring a marker and turn little fingers into French puppets with acorn cap berets.

Silverado Canyon
What:Real mountain country just a quick drive from home. There's a great trail at the end of the road (you'll need an Adventure Pass to park). But the drive alone is worth it. Drive slowly because children and horses are around. Cool cabins and eclectic homes.
Who: Grandparents through little ones. Check out canyonlife.com and impress everyone with your knowledge of local history. Hint: It really did get its name because of an old silver mine.
Where:Silvarado Canyon Road off Santiago Canyon Road. If you haven't driven these parts, you will be amazed you are still in Orange County.
When:Daylight hours.
Tip:Pancakes any morning and taco Tuesdays at the Silvarado Café.

San Gabriel River Mouth
What:Egrets, herons, pelicans, migrating birds, kayakers all in a natural river setting many think is only available in Upper Newport Bay. Walk it or bike it.
Who:Children ages 5 and up. (Younger ones are challenging on the sometimes busy river trial.)
Where:Seal Beach, where Pacific Coast Highway crosses the San Gabriel River. You will find the San Gabriel River trail on the south side of the bridge. You may park along First Street. Pay attention to traffic on PCH and cyclists on the trial.
When:Best in early and late summer when birds are more plentiful.
Tip:Bring jackets, food and something to drink. It can be hot when there is no wind, but there is usually a strong ocean breeze.

Trestles (Psst -- It's not just for surfers)
What:Forget about HBO's "John from Cincinnati." Trestles is the place to catch the true surfer vibe. Plus, it's an international icon. But the best reason to go is it's just a really beautiful beach. The sand stretches between the famous swells and one of the few undeveloped areas along our coastline.
Who: The whole family. Bring a backpack for the baby to navigate the stretch of beach for the best ocean views. A stroller is fine for the rest. Wheelchair access also ends at the sand.
Where:Park on El Camino Real, head toward the beach along Christianitos Road, cross the bridge over the 5 Freeway, then swing left on the asphalt path on the south side. The walk to the beach is about 15 minutes.
When: Mornings are best if you want to watch the surfers. But any time is fine.
Tip:There's porta-potty at the end of the pavement, just before the beach.

Seal Beach Pier
What:One of the state's longest piers (we're told No. 2) in what still remains a quaint seaside town. Great chance to watch ocean fishing in action, look at the shoreline, watch the surfers or even catch legendary coldwater swimmer Lynne Cox in training.
Who:Great family trip or a fine romantic stroll at sunset or under the stars.
Where:Metered parking on the street if you can find a space, or just pay the $5 for pier side parking.
When:During the day, or at night especially when there is a red tide for the bioluminescence. Hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tip:Surprise your charges with a treat at the end of the pier where you will find Ruby's Diner, 562-431-7829.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Overnight Camps

For some kids, the idea of leaving home for a week at a time seems like a bad dream. Some parents, also, can't bear the thought of their children's first real time away from home. If you are contemplating a summer camp experience for your student this summer, here are three good reasons why you should send them:

1. A sense of independence is gained while they are away.
2. Confidence in their ability to make decisions.
3. A lifetime of memories of the new friends and experiences.

What are some questions to consider when selecting a resident camp?

• What locale is of interest?
• Do I want a traditional camp or one that focuses on a particular activity or set of skills?
• What size enrollment will make my child feel comfortable?
• How rustic do I want the camp to be?
• How structured do I want the program to be?
• Is my child ready to sleep away from home for an extended stay?
• What session length will appeal to my child and to our family plans for the summer?
• How can I stay in touch with my child during camp?
• How will the camp meet my child's special dietary or physical needs?
• What is my budget?

 posted by Jane    0 comments

Does Your Child Suffer from Sports Burnout?

What can a parent do to encourage kids to play sports as long as possible?

• Don't expect too much from 5 to 10 year-olds. Muscle coordination, dedication and attention span are not hone until middle school. Physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially, young children are still forming.
• Establish a love of sports before harping on technique. Make sports fun for young children. Make up new games; mix and match rules from different sports; use the wrong ball; cheer and give extra points for mistakes.
• Familiar faces. A shy child can be slow to bond with strange players but be enthusiastic about a game of street baseball or backyard basketball with the family. Invite neighbors and schoolmates to play. Kids enjoy the no-pressure atmosphere of a friendly pick-up game.
• Reward knowledge. Especially for older children, acknowledge when a player demonstrates a pump fake, or holds off on a bad pitch, or runs a precise pattern. Sincere praise from parents is the ultimate reward for more serious players.
• Challenge experienced players. Practice the parts of a sport that your child would like to improve. For example, help a basketball player with free throws. Being there when he or she finally hits three or four shots in a row is priceless.
• Stay active. A high-schooler who can't find an opening on a crowded high school team can try out for a different sport, or simply continue enjoying sports with friends and family.

 posted by Jane    0 comments

Preventing Illness with Children

1. Wash hands often
2. Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces
3. Handle and prepare food safely
4. Get immunized
5. Use antibiotics properly
6. Be careful with pets
7. Avoid contact with wild animals

Source: The Centers for Disease Control / Seven Keys to a Safer Healthier Home
 posted by Jane    0 comments

What is Going on Inside the Developing, Complicated Teen Brain?

"The teenage brain is a work in progress; it's basically still undergoing construction..."
--David Walsh, psychologist, former high school counselor and author
One day your teenager is full of charm helping you with a chore and chitchatting like you are best friends. Just several hours later, he's angry and sullen. Are hormones the explanation for this Jekyll and Hyde personality? Experts now say that although hormones contribute to teenage mood swings, the bigger culprit is the teenage brain, or rather, their lack of brain development.
What can parents do to deal with teenagers?
1. Be a parent first: Set rules and have your teen adhere to them. A teen's job is to push the limits; a parent's job is to set them.
2. Adjust your expectations about your teen's behavior based on their brain development. It is normal for them to experience mood swings and impulsiveness.
3. If your teens on an emotional roller-coaster, do not jump on with them. If you do, it can result in name-calling, put-downs and threats -- all things that will eat away at your relationship with your teen.
4. Begin statements with "I" rather than "you". Starting with "you" triggers defensiveness. For example, instead of saying "You're really rude", say, "I'm angry that you walked out of the room while I was talking to you."
5. Be patient. It often helps to remember your own adolescent years.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Sorting Out the College Test Letters

CAROL VERAVANICH
Register columnist
EDUCATION

Q. There are too many initials in high schools. I know kids have to take the SAT. Now I have heard of the PSAT, but what is that exactly and what is the test that has the NMQ or something like that. Please help me sort through all these letters and tests. My son is ranked 4 for his class in a very large high school. He almost aces those tests the kids have to take at the end of each year. With a boy this smart, what do we need to have him take and what can we skip? I can talk to the high school counselor and I will, but help me get started. He's only a freshman.
A. PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) /National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corp. (NMSC) scholarship programs, and it sounds like your son may have a shot at these.
The PSAT/NMSQT will be a useful tool for you and your son. Have him take it as soon as he is able. Many schools have students take the test as sophomores for practice. Students can take the test additional times to improve their scores. The test is intended, however, for juniors. Your son will learn a lot about his readiness for college and college admission through this process. Upon receiving his results, he will learn how his performance might compare with others planning to apply for college. He will also be able to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in grade 11.
There is also an important box to check off on the PSAT/NMSQT. Students can check "yes" to Student Search Service to receive information from colleges. This can lead your son to schools interested in him as a student. The PSAT/NMSQT for 2007 is given Oct.17 and 20. Your son must sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT at his high school. Please note that each high school chooses only one October test date.
Q. My child was suspended for fighting. There are only three weeks of school left and I want him away from the child he fought with. Can the school enforce this separation?
A. Schools cannot enforce elementary restraining orders, but the principal should work with you to make sure your son does not find himself in a threatening situation. Ask your son where he plays and where he usually encounters the other child. Help your son learn to avoid the other child.
You could also ask for him to go to the library or another classroom during recess or lunch times if you are afraid to leave these two on the playground together. Talk to the principal about what you decide. A fight is not the end of the world, and these children might be able to move past their differences quicker than you might think.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Publishers Launching e-books for Kids

Scholastic and Disney are testing the online market for children's reading materials.

By HILLEL ITALIE
The Associated Press

Two leading children's publishers, Scholastic and Disney, will soon discover whether the laptop compares to the lap in the hearts of young readers.
Scholastic is officially launching BookFlix, an educational Web site pairing short films based on popular picture books along with nonfiction e-books that allow early readers to follow the text online.
For example, click on the bar that reads "People and Places" and you'll find a pair of offerings on Abraham Lincoln: an animated film of a storybook, Jean Fritz's "Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln"; and the animated image of a nonfiction work, Will Mara's "Abraham Lincoln," with children able to turn pages, backward or forward, by clicking on an arrow on the lower right- or left-hand side.
Other books include Jules Feiffer's "Bark, George," placed alongside Alyse Sweeney's "Pets at the Vet," and Syd Hoff's "Danny and the Dinosaur," featured with Susan H. Gray's "Dinosaur Tracks."
The Disney Publishing Group plans a similar project later this year, making favorites such as "The Jungle Book" and "Cinderella" available online. While Scholastic, for now, is sticking to the school and library market, Disney will offer books to general consumers, charging a fee, still to be determined, for downloads.
"We saw a void in the marketplace and decided to act upon it," said Jon Yaged, U.S. publisher of the Disney Book Group.
E-books for early readers come as e-sales overall have been rising quickly, even if they remain a fraction of a $35 billion dollar industry. The market for trade releases nearly doubled from 2005 to 2006, from $11 million to $20 million, and already totals $8 million in the first quarter of 2007, according to the International Digital Publishing Forum, a trade and standards association.
The association's executive director, Nick Bogaty, said he had no statistics for the educational and library market, but believed the numbers were at least triple those for commercial releases.
"It's starting to become real," Bogaty said of growth in the digital market. "Publishers are starting to take this seriously."
Unlike a few years ago, e-books have users in high places within the industry, including Penguin Group (USA) CEO David Shanks and Borders Group Inc. CEO George Jones. Yaged remains in transition.
"I still prefer to read traditional books. ... But if our program was available right now, I would be reading it to my child," said Yaged, who added that he was reluctant to call the new Disney releases "e-books," instead favoring "digital books."
"There hasn't been enough success with the e-book. We believe it's better to call it something different."
Children's titles have been a weak part of the e-book market. Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins said they have no plans for digital texts designed for young people, while a Penguin spokeswoman said e-picture books are "part of the long-term plan," but not "the immediate future." The problem has always been a proper reading device; a laptop screen, a familiar sight for more and more children, could be the solution.
"We kept it as simple as possible," said Francie Alexander, Scholastic's chief academic officer. "We wanted to make sure we provided what kids would need to understand the text."
BookFlix begins with 80 pairings, 20 of them also available in Spanish, with categories ranging from "Family and Community" to "Music and Rhyme." Among those already using it is the Edward Smith Elementary School in Syracuse, N.Y.
"The teachers who have used it, love it," said Robin Young, the school's library media specialist. "They have been working with the kids in small groups. They love the pairing of fiction and nonfiction and they love the activities."
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Online Activity

How to check your computer's history:
The history provides a list of the websites that have been viewed from your computer. For safety reasons, we recommend that parents review their computer's history to stay informed of the places their children visit online. (If the history is consistently empty, it is possible that either your child is deliberately erasing the history to keep you from finding out where they go online, or perhaps your computer is set up to automatically delete the history each time you exit out of the Internet. We advise that you disable the auto-delete feature).
To check your computer's history, follow these steps:
• Find the long narrow box (called a Navigation Bar) at the top of the screen where web addresses can be entered.
• To the right of this box is a little drop- down menu with an arrow. By clicking on the arrow, you can see a list of the different websites that have been viewed from your computer. AOL automatically saves the last 300 places visited. Internet Explorer can be customized to report a list of the places visited in the last 999 days.
• After you view all the entries in your computer's history, you can clear it. Are there other ways to stay informed about what my children on doing online? Beyond checking your computer's history, you can also search your computer for any pictures that have been downloaded from emails or the Internet.
To look for downloaded photos or images, follow these steps:
• Click on your computer's Start menu (look for the big word "start" at the bottom left of the screen).
• Click on Programs or All Programs.
• Click on Accessories.
• Now click on System Tools and finally click on Disk Clean Up. When you click on Disk Clean Up, a window will pop up to tell you whether there are any items stored in the category of Temporary Internet Files. If you click on Temporary Internet Files, and then select View Files lower down in the box, you will see a row of documents of folders. By clicking on these, you can quickly find out if any photos or images have been downloaded to your computer.
• To erase the contents of Temporary Internet Files, just go back to the Disk Clean Up window and click OK.
• It is also a good idea to check the Recycle Bin on your computer to see if your offspring have discarded anything that you need to know about.
- Courtesy of Web Wise Kids. For more information, visit webwisekids.org
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Is a Spelling Tutor Necessary?

A spelling tutor is a professional who specializes in helping students who have trouble with spelling words. Spelling is a particularly important subject for children in primary school and the dreaded "spelling test" is considered something of a right of passage for many students. While spelling proficiency is indeed very important, the necessity of being able to spell at a high level is not as important as it once was.

While written communication used to consist entirely of the pen and paper approach, most modern written communication occurs either as email or as a document prepared on a word processor. Both types of software usually provide spell checkers that can help correct the spelling of words in the document. Nevertheless, it is very important for grammar school aged children to become proficient in spelling. The question that often arises with parents of young children who have spelling difficulties is--should I consider hiring a spelling tutor for my child?

While spelling is indeed an important topic, the truth is that it tends to be subordinate in
importance to other skills such as grammar, writing, math, science, literature, etc. While we would never want to understate the value of any academic subject, the truth is that spelling is a skill that is less important than most others.

Nevertheless, parents who have a child who has trouble spelling may become concerned and consider hiring a spelling tutor to help their child overcome these difficulties. While this may be an effective solution to the problem, it is quite possible to work through spelling difficulties without resorting to the specialized services of a spelling tutor. That is, of course, unless the child is one of those fortunate few who compete in spelling bees--in that case, what is needed is not a spelling tutor but rather a spelling coach.

In most cases, parents are the most capable to serve as a spelling tutor. Spelling is a subject that does not require the parent to have advanced skills--anyone can read a list of words and check whether the student has spelled the words correctly. Students who are having difficulties with spelling are much more likely to experience positive results from a little parental involvement than what they could expect from hiring a spelling tutor.

The spelling tutor certainly has a place in the educational spectrum, but the importance of spelling is not what it once was. While spelling competitions have become incredibly popular in recent years, the truth is that spelling, while important, is nowhere near as critical a skill as reading, math, science, and other academic subjects.

If your child is having difficult spelling, then you should try to ascertain if the difficulty is indicative of a wider disorder. If so, then you should have him or her tested/treated for that disorder. If not, then it is not something to worry about.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Celebrities With Learning Disabilities

If your child has just been diagnosed with a learning disability, he or she may be feeling a little bit iffy about their self-esteem. This may be due to the overwhelming (but untrue) notion in our society that scholastic difficulties severely limit a person's possibility of success in the work world. Of course, this is quite simply not true. There are plenty of well-known individuals with learning problems who have gone on to accomplish great things in their careers. Here are a few such examples who just might provide the encouragement and inspiration that your child needs to look to the future with optimism:

1. Whoopi Goldberg--Until she explained her difficulties with reading to a perceptive teacher as an adult, Goldberg had no idea she was dyslexic. She was then able to learn the strategies necessary that would allow her to make sense of written language. Goldberg went on to become an incredibly successful actress and comedienne. She is one of the few people in the world to have been awarded an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, and a Grammy. Goldberg is also the only woman to have ever hosted the Academy Awards. Her radio show, Wake Up With Whoopi, premiered on Clear Channel Radio at the end of July 1006. She has several upcoming movies slated for release, including It's Under My Skin and The Last Guy on Earth.

2. Tommy Hilfiger--Growing up in New York during the '50s and '60s, Hilfiger struggled with school because of his dyslexia. While reading proved difficult for him, he developed a keen eye for what lines and shapes suited the body. Hilfiger's sharp fashion sense and entrepreneurial drive helped him to launch his own label in 1982. Since then, his business has branched out to design not just men and women's wear, but children's clothing, shoes, home furnishings, and personal fragrances. Hilfiger has experienced continued success with an ever-increasing celebrity clientele, new store openings around the globe and company revenues in the hundreds of millions.

3. Jamie Oliver--This young, hip chef has made cooking cool for a new generation of Food Network viewers. While dyslexia problematized reading for Oliver as a student, he made it a point to finish every cookbook from the well-known Bay Area French restaurant, Chez Panisse. Oliver's learning disability has not stood in the way of his achievements; he has been the host of several popular cooking television programs, such as The Naked Chef and Oliver's Twist, and has written seven cookbooks, including the bestselling Jamie's Dinners. His latest television series-Jamie's School Lunch Project-documents his quest to revamp the menu of a British elementary school through the introduction of healthier cooking methods and the incorporation of organic foods.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Children's Books About Learning Disabilities

Nonfiction books can be of great help to parents and children dealing with learning disabilities. However, there is something to be said about the power of fiction to access people's emotions while at the same time getting important messages across to readers. With that in mind, a growing number of writers have decided to tackle the subject of scholastic difficulties in the storybook format, which allows young readers to be entertained and informed all at once. These books may also provide a source of relief to kids with learning problems, since they prove that they're not alone in their struggles.

Here is a sampling of some of the best fiction books available for children on the subject:



1. The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia, written by Diane Burton Robb, illustrated by Gail Piazza, $15.95 (hardcover), available on Amazon.com

This book-which is suitable for children from age four through eight-deals with the learning difficulties of a little boy named Adam. As a very young child, Adam enjoys being read aloud to by his mother. However, once he enters school, reading becomes a source of major stress for him; he simply can't get the hang of it. He becomes increasingly frustrated and withdrawn until he is diagnosed with dyslexia and learns the strategies necessary to help him interpret written language. The well-paced narrative treats Adam's experiences with sympathy and respect, and the beautiful illustrations help readers to visualize the story's emotional arc.


2. The Don't-Give-Up Kid and Learning Differences, written by Jeanne Gehret, illustrated by Sandra Ann DePauw, $9.95 (paperback), available on Amazon.com
While most books that center around learning disabilities focus on one particular problem, this story-written for children from age six through ten-deals with other common scholastic difficulties. The protagonist is Alex, a bright kid who just so happens to have trouble learning how to read. Even though he faces ridicule from his classmates, he perseveres and gets the help that he needs. Along the way, he discovers that one of his heroes-Thomas Edison-also had to deal with learning issues, which provides him with plenty of personal inspiration.


3. Different Croaks for Different Folks: All About Children With Special Learning Needs, written by Midori Ochiai and Shinya Miyamoto, illustrated by Hiroko Fujiwara, translated by Esther Sanders, $17.95 (hardcover), available on Amazon.com
Originally written for a Japanese audience, this book has been lovingly translated for American readers. The authors put a playful spin on a potentially intimidating subject: Teacher Toad gives lessons to his frog students that help them to find solutions to their various learning problems. As this happens, these young frogs also discover the importance of accepting and valuing the differences in each other. The second half of the book is dedicated to a scientific breakdown of each scholastic difficulty, which makes it a great resource for both children and parents.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Common Misconceptions About Learning Disabilities

A big part of the fear surrounding learning disabilities has to do with misinformation. Sure, parents have a right to be concerned about their child's well-being when they discover that he or she has a learning disability but being accurately informed is half the battle. Don't let the following common misconceptions about learning disorders color your beliefs or those of your child.

1. Learning disabilities are environmental: This untruth places the blame on parents for their child's learning problems. Learning disabilities aren't due to parental neglect; they're genetic, which basically means that they're an inherited characteristic, like height or eye color. Because they're genetic, they're also due to luck of the draw. For example, just because a child's father is dyslexic doesn't mean that the child will be. Learning problems aren't anyone's fault, but are the cause of faulty wiring in the brain. So put away the guilt.

2. All learning disabilities are the same. False. There are many different types of learning problems. Some of the most common ones in this country include dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory and visual perception disabilities, and memory disabilities. While some of them may have similar symptoms, they're not necessarily related, nor do they require uniform treatments. Even children with the same type of learning disability may respond differently to the same treatment. Thus it's important to keep individuality in mind when looking at learning problems.

3. Learning disabilities require special education. Not necessarily. Although under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with learning disabilities have the right to special education classes, access to such programs shouldn't be seen as a blanket solution to these kinds of problems. Whether or not a learning disabled child should be put in a special education class has everything to do with the type and severity of his or her disability. Many special education programs at public schools are created to cater to mentally retarded students, not those with learning disabilities. For those with mild to moderate scholastic problems, extracurricular assistance via tutors or learning centers that are specially trained to deal with these kinds of disabilities provide all the help that is needed.

4. Learning disabilities denote lack of intelligence. Definitely not! Many learning disabled students are just as bright (if not more so) as students without scholastic problems. Children with learning disabilities simply have a harder time processing certain types of information (i.e. letters, numbers, sounds, etc.). In fact, many students with learning problems have created ingenious ways of overcoming the obstacles they face, such as enhanced creativity or memorization skills. The important thing to remember is that learning disabilities have nothing to do with intelligence. A learning disabled child may score extremely well on an IQ test, but still have trouble working with number sequences. Such problems are entirely due to issues in information processing, not overall brainpower.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Learning Disabilities and Self-Esteem

So your child has been diagnosed as having a learning disability. What's your next move? You may feel disappointed or discouraged, but you need to realize that these feelings are temporary and shouldn't be communicated to your child. While it's important that you acknowledge your
feelings, make sure that you do so with an appropriate person, such as your spouse, partner or a close friend, not your child. Children have very fragile self-esteem and they tend to internalize things, so parents will want to avoid giving their children any sort of negative messages about their learning disability. Otherwise, parents run the risk of having their children think that they're somehow at fault for their learning problems. A much better and more productive way to handle this situation is to be as positive and nurturing as possible. This is easily accomplished through the following simple steps:

1. Inform yourself. The more you know about your child's learning disability, the easier it will be for you to deal with it effectively. There are a host of excellent online resources available to parents of children with learning disabilities. Two of the best are the Learning Disabilities Online website (http://www.ldonline.org) and the Learning Disabilities Association of America website (http://www.ldanatl.org). Along with excellent articles on everything from treatment options to an easy-to-understand breakdown of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), these sites feature links to local learning disability specialists and support groups.

2. Show a little sympathy. Keep in mind that any frustration you may feel is small in comparison to what your child is going through. After all, he or she is the one that has to
learn the strategies necessary to making the most of his or her educational opportunities. The best you can do is support your child and have faith in his or her perseverance. Even if a particular treatment option doesn't work, know that there are others available and don't give up. Hope that you will find one that works for your child.

3. Look on the bright side. Sure, things may look bleak at first, but keep in mind how lucky you are to have caught the disability when you did. Some people manage to make it all the way to adulthood without knowing that they have a learning disorder, which causes them to experience unnecessary difficulty in school and at work. You should also make sure to communicate to your child that their learning disability is just one aspect of their lives. It's not the entirety of who they are, although it may take considerable time and effort to work through these issues. Keeping the problem in perspective will allow your child to do what's necessary to overcome it without being overwhelmed by the challenge this poses.

4. Enhance the positive. Focus on all the things your child can do, rather than what they're currently unable to. This doesn't just mean praising what they have no trouble doing, but every step they make along the way in learning how to work with their disability. Any progress they make should be noted and praised, which will encourage them to keep on going. When your child feels like you're backing them, it will be that much easier for them to reach their potential.
 posted by Jane    0 comments

Learning Disability Related Careers

More information is being discovered about learning disabilities everyday, and with this growth in knowledge comes an increase in the number of people diagnosed with scholastic difficulties. Because of this, professionals trained in helping people to overcome their learning problems are needed now more than ever. This is a fascinating field and if you choose to take part in it, you can feel good about embarking on a career path that will enable you to help people in need improve the quality of their lives. There are a host of learning disability related jobs available, including:
1. Pediatrician: A child's doctor is often the primary line of defense against learning problems. Nowadays, pediatric tests are able to identify possible disabilities earlier than ever before. Still, if symptoms manage to keep themselves hidden for a while, as soon as they're discovered, the pediatrician will be the first person that a child's parent will contact. For example, if an 18-month-old child doesn't seem to understand or respond to his or her parent's speech, the parent may bring this up with their pediatrician, who will first test the child's hearing. If his or her hearing is fine, then the child will be referred by the pediatrician to a speech pathologist.

2. Speech Pathologist: These licensed professionals are trained to assess a child's speech development and point out any potential problems. When a child is sent to a speech pathologist, he or she will be tested for the ability to speak and to understand the speech of others. If a problem is identified, the speech pathologist will suggest that he or she begin speech therapy as soon as possible, since the sooner a learning disability is dealt with, the easier it will be for him or her to make the transition to school.

3. Teacher: The right instructor for your child will have the time and the training necessary to work with learning disabled students. This may be a general or special education teacher, depending on the severity of your child's scholastic problems. General education teachers may obtain the necessary training from workshops or classes offered by private schools, nonprofit organizations, or learning centers that specialize in working with students who have scholastic difficulties. Special education teachers are trained to work with students who may have one or more of a variety of disabilities, including cognitive, physical, and social disorders.

4. Tutor: Sometimes outside help is needed to assist your child in making the most of his or her educational opportunities. If this is the case, you may want to hire a specially trained tutor to teach your child the strategies that will allow them to interpret the information that is relayed to them in their schoolwork. Sometimes, the difference a tutor makes can help a child forever.
 posted by Jane    0 comments