12 Commandments for Parents

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In a child’s education an important factor is the parents’ expertise for this “job”. No one is born holding all the knowledge, but we can learn and understand some things from books or advice from qualified persons.

Amongst the commandments a parent should strictly follow are the following:

1. Do not underestimate your child – he can understand more than you think he does and if you make him believe you think poorly of him this might affect his development.

2. Don’t use threat – a child loves a challenge and once threatened he might probably go on and do what he wasn’t suppose to just to see if he can escape the punishment.

3. Do not bribe your child – if you are trying to get him to learn for money for example, he will fail to understand the importance of learning, all he will get from this is the importance of money.

4. Do not make a small child promise something – small children can’t hold promises so don’t force them to lie and then punish them because they did that.

5. Do not keep them under a short leash – to grow up normally children need some space, some freedom.

6. Do not use big words or too many words when you are talking to your child – keep your ideas simple and concise so he can understand every thing you have to say.

7. Do not expect an immediate and blind obedience – it is not recommended, the child has to be learned to think for his own not to follow orders.

8. Do not indulge him too much – he can develop compartmental disorders.

9. Do not compromise when it comes to the rules of a game – the trick for a game to become educative is too have its initial rules respected.

10. Don’t impose rules that don’t go with the age of your child.

11. Do not try to inflict quilt – quilt is not an appropriate feeling for children, especially if they are little.

12. Don’t give your child orders that you don’t take seriously – your child will try to please you and giving him an order is drastic, and it becomes cruel if that order is a joke.

All these “commandments” are addressed first to the parent. But they are to be referred to by teachers and educators as well. Along with the parents, they will settle upon an attitude and strategy for the education and growth of the child, so that they can give him all the things he needs to properly develop emotional and physically

Diagnosing Learning Disabilities

There are no physical signs to a learning disability, albeit of course any genetic or possible other disorders that may indeed cause a learning disability as a secondary effect. There are many forms of learning disabilities that perhaps some people are not aware of. This article will touch base with some common signs of a potential learning disability.

When trying to diagnose a learning disability what do you look for? Are there any significant physical traits to be seen? The answer is no.

If you have noticed your child struggling in very remedial tasks that you feel should have been picked up at a very young age such as, putting together comprehendible sentences, or catching the grasp of tying their shoes, as they get older, then this may very well be a sign. It is impossible to determine at the start of schooling whether or not your child will have difficulties, and start to fall behind. There are however, a few things to consider that may have eluded you until now. Perhaps they do not have a learning disability at all, rather an eyesight problem. It may be possible that your child is placed too far back in the classroom and is having trouble seeing what is going on, or to be done. The same can be said for hearing as well, it can be misconstrued as a learning disability, yet they merely have a problem with communication as the are not picking up the proper instructions from the teacher. Both of these issues can be in a sense a learning disability only because of the restrictions that are placed on them. This can indeed be corrected as you take them to an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist.

Another sign could be that they just cannot sit still in class or at home while studying. This is a sign of a learning disability that is known as attention deficit disorder, or A.D.D. This condition is where the individual cannot focus on a set task for very long. This can also impede the learning process, as they do not pick up any set details and cannot focus on what is needed, or should be done for more than a few minutes at a time. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or A.D.H.D is in fashion is the same disorder, yet you can throw extreme hyperactivity into the mix. The same lack of attention is present in this disorder, as well as the seemingly endless supply of energy. This in turn makes it very difficult for the person to sit still in class. Both of these disorders although related, are not the same and will need to be treated differently. Hyperactivity can be a very hard condition to control without the use of some very potent specially prescribed drugs. Many times these drugs however, can strip the child of far too much energy than needed, and really be counterproductive. Talk to a specialist and find a means to control this disorder. This should help at least control the fidgetiness in the child; many times specialists will recommend a change in diets as an initial move to correcting this disorder.

When this does not work, often they will set up small tests to determine the severity of the disorder so that a proper treatment can be applied. There are several fashions of learning disabilities such as academic skills disorders, language and speech disorders, and sometimes, yet rarely, coordination disorders that can lead up to some forms of learning disabilities. As a parent it is your job to watch over developments that may arise in your children, especially when it comes to learning or the lack thereof. When you see signs of a disability, it is very concerning, yet there is treatment for the problems. It is better off not left to chance, and risking the possibility of it getting worse. The less you pay attention to the problem, the more disabling the problem can become in the future. Help your kids learn on pace with everyone else.

Diagnosing LD Early is Important

If you notice that your child is having great difficulties making out words or sounds would assume they have a learning disability? What does this mean? More than likely this is the early sign of a learning disability. If they are having troubles with putting together understandable sentences, there is another sign of this problem.

Most times, it is the parent at home with the child that first recognizes a problem with the speech or development of the child. This generally happens long before the child even hits school. If the child exhibits traits of rowdiness there is another possibility, it may be ADD or ADHD. In any case, and whatever the situation, the child should be brought to the pediatrician for some tests to determine exactly what the problem could be. If it is a case of ADD or ADHD then there are many options for the treatment of the conditions. If, however, it is a learning disability, the options are not as varied or quantified. Basically, the options consist of special education, and/or a private tutor. The idea of having a child with a learning disorder can be troubling, yet it is not the end of the world. With the tools that teachers have at their disposal these days, great strides in the correcting of many of the issues that the condition carry can be overcome.

When finding out that your child has a learning disorder, and the child has yet to be enrolled in the public education system, this is indeed the most ideal time to start working with them. There are programs that can be picked up from the pediatrician’s office, or off the Internet. Getting sets of good flash cards from an educational is a good idea, as well. It is easy enough for you to make your own flash cards. They can incorporate pictures with the words. Small words to start with will be appropriate, and then as the child develops confidence, gradually increasing in size and complexity.

In addition, the idea of tutoring your child at home prior to them going to school will definitely give them a fair shot at least keeping up with the rest of the class, and not falling to far behind. In the early stages of school the reading, and writing aspects are not as important as social development are. The time span of the transition between kindergarten and higher grades, will give plenty of time for the child to develop some skills in reading and writing. This will be most helpful if you can develop a regime at home for them to follow on a daily basis.

If you do detect this problem in the child and do nothing about it, what you are doing is hurting your child in the long run. This makes things that others may find easy, a challenge to your child. You are doing them no service by allowing the decrease in processing to continue. When they reach latter stages of their education, this is where this will be most evident. Often when a child’s disability goes unattended, it leads to further trouble. This is most recognizable by traits of fidgety behavior, and/or extreme restlessness in the classroom. This can often be associated with the condition of ADD or ADHD, which is not the case in said learning disorder.

The fact that they cannot sit still is the fact that the level of processing of the information before them is very limited. This makes them restless on what they are doing and end up disrupting the entire classroom. When this situation arises, it is possible for the student to be reprimanded for their behavior, even though it is not really their fault. If the teacher knew ahead of time, it would be more likely that the child would already be in some sort of special education class. In helping the child at home, you give them an opportunity to make advancements long before they enter school. Early detection of this condition is truly a good thing when it comes to the child’s development. It definitely gives them an edge they otherwise would not have had.

Developing your Test Taking Skills for Better Grades

It is a very common thing for people to have problems with tests. For some reason, people seem to crack under the pressures of taking tests. Unfortunately, as most people know, without these tests you can pretty much be assured that your grades will remain low. So, now you want to fix that problem. This article will shed some light on tips to better studying and earning better grades.

First and foremost, you will need a good place to study. This place should be without the distractions of peers, and/or things that you would rather be associating with at that present moment. Your studying place should be available to you whenever you need it. Given the fact that sometimes your tests may be at the same time as someone else's, you can be assured to the fact that others are studying as well. Sharing a study place is not a good idea, because you never know whether or not it is taken for the particular moment when you really need it. It is also not advisable to use that study space with someone else at the same time. This is an easy way to become completely distracted by conversation, or whatever the other person is doing at the time. If you cannot find a study place that you can call your own, and must share, it might not be bad idea to work out some kind of schedule with the person you are sharing it with. This way you both get to use it, and not distract each other in the process. Along with the usual interruptions such as peers, cell phones and pagers can create a great distraction. Turning these devices off when studying will go along way in getting things done.

It is said that the best studying is done in absolute silence however, if this does not work for you and you need some sort of background noise try to keep it low enough to hear, yet not pulling you from what you are doing. Having exactly what you may need for your study session is very important. You will study more efficiently when you have your pens, paper and sources of material ready for the study session. Whatever it may be should be at your fingertips. If you must use a computer in your studies, then it is apparent that your study place will most likely have to be where the computer is, unless you are lucky enough to have a laptop. If you need material from the library, and you feel the distraction would be to great, you could consider taking the books out on loan. Having a large enough desk or table is imperative when you study. This way you will have all your materials right by you when you need them. Having comfortable seating and appropriate lighting will also make for an easier study session. Ensure that the temperature is set right, if it is too chilly your thinking will slow down, if it is too warm you will become drowsy, and you will be less likely to get any studying done at all.

It is essential to have a good knowledge of that will be on the test in order to do well. Paying attention in class will keep you in the know, and have you prepared for what will be asked in the test. Now that you have your study place and your materials ready, here are some tips to help you get through your next test.

First of all, you should always read the directions on the test very carefully, if you do not understand a portion or segment of the test, you should ask prior to starting. If you do follow the directions on the test, chances are you will fair much better that if you just wing it. By not following the directions, you can be fairly sure you will goof something up in the test. A good way for you to manage the test would be to examine the entire test then break it down into smaller portions. Once you have the test broken down, you can determine how much time you will need to spend on each segment. If you see items on the test that are especially easy for you, it might not be a bad idea to do them first, then more on to the more challenging questions. It is also important to review what you have done prior to turning in your test. This way you can check for mistakes and/or missing answers. By paying attention to what you are doing, you can be assured better results on your tests. This will most likely help you keep your grades up. Good luck and keep studying.

Causes of Learning Disabilities

One of the most difficult tasks in the world of learning disabilities is the reason it happens in the first place. Determining exactly what causes them can be a very daunting chore to say the least. Considering the fact the learning disabilities are extremely complex and have yet to be fully understood, the causes could be as vast as the amount of disabilities themselves.

The level of schooling does not dictate the level of the disability. The handicap that the child has is not treated according to the level of successful schooling. This means that a child that enters the education system either has a disability, already or they do not. Education, or the lack of understanding in the classroom, does not make a disability. Many children will have a problem with early reading, that will progress to intermediate, and finally on up to advanced reading. This is a condition, not a reason for poor school performance. The same can be said about computation. The flow of computation will progress from early to advanced with minimal understanding. The difference between irrelevant and relevant subject material and lessons becomes a large mound of vastness for someone with a learning disability. It is now apparent that there are great differences on the brain structure of someone with a learning disability, opposed to someone without. The causes of this irregular brain structure can vary; as well they could be due to many different factors within the individual themselves.

It is said that learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia could easily be caused by hereditary factors. This would make learning disabilities more of a genetic problem rather than just some random issue. It also is thought that there may be a teratogenetic relation to learning disabilities. This would or could imply that one or both of the parents have ingested a particular substance or been in direct contact for prolonged periods of time. If the mother consumed large quantities of alcohol throughout her pregnancy, this in turn could result in fetal alcohol syndrome. This could easily translate into a very serious case of mental retardation, or as mild forms of learning disabilities. The same can be said for the ingestion of drugs such as cocaine. This would undoubtedly induce worse cases of a leaning disability, as cocaine carries a much harder effect on the fetus. Sometimes the close contact with substances such as lead will have the very same condition and can relate to a learning condition in the end.

Many times the conversation of medical issues at birth have been under debate, with regards to learning disabilities. The notion is that perhaps premature birth can have a close tie with learning disabilities is the subject of much scrutiny. Also mentioned are the possibilities of diabetes in addition to meningitis causing problems. Both can play a role in the stemming of a learning disability. This idea however, is constantly under research and review. Other factors that have been discussed in regards to learning disabilities include environmental issues, with the likes of poor prenatal health care during pregnancy, where the mother just does not follow the prenatal specialists requests and or outlined regime. This in turn will undoubtedly put much strain on a fetus, which in turn could impede the development and growth while in the womb. More issues are brought to light as the researchers find that many women do not actually eat appropriately during any of the trimesters. This can hamper the progression development stages of the fetus growing inside her womb. This would basically translate into malnutrition and any way you slice it and is poor practice for a woman to follow.

Researchers up to this point have been unsuccessful in the findings of direct causes of learning disabilities. Their efforts have not gone in vain however, as much has been learned in the process. This new information that they have gained can help in the assessing of particular cases and possible treatments to follow. Making this leap has allowed the advancement in medicine and drugs to curb the loss of skills it requires to lead a healthy and natural life. All reasons mentioned in this article are of clearly speculated nature, and the studies continue.

Defining Learning Disabilities

Disabilities such as blindness or paralysis are not related, nor are they like a learning disability. Learning disabilities are unseen, generally not known about until it really affects the patient’s way of life or function. This is a handicap that to many, is hidden and many would not know there was a handicap at all.

A learning disability is where some one has a difficult time processing information and the links that relate to specific brain patterns are interrupted. The interruptions in these links result in limitations. These can range from mild to even serious and impede the developmental curve when it comes to speech, or reading and writing, as well as math equations.

L.D. or learning disabilities can run the entire course of someone’s life. These disorders affect many aspects of their daily regime. This is not solely restricted to merely work or school. It can affect home lives, friendships, and family lives. The degree of the disability is dependent on the individual and their certain unique circumstances. Many people have multiple symptoms of learning disabilities, some just have one isolated condition, and it can have a mere minimal impact on their lives. For someone who does not have a learning disability, they could only speculate what it would be like to have something to say, or something to do however, no way of doing it properly. Not being able to express yourself is exactly what these people go through when they have a learning disability.

It would almost be like a midway where all the sights and sounds would be overwhelming and confusing. Trying to solve perhaps even the most simple of problems, be it at school or otherwise could really be a chore, if even accomplished at all. It is really not that hard to imagine what it would be like to have a learning disorder. Many times in your life you may have faced moments of extreme confusion and/or memory lapse. This is basically what someone with this disorder goes through.

Perhaps as a kid you were told you had a common form of learning disorder called dyslexia. This disorder is where you can see the words or numbers, yet when you need to relate them to paper, they can end up being reversed. This disorder is very common. It is not uncommon for someone who lives with a person diagnosed with a learning disorder to become very frustrated. It manages to confuse the individual that has to go through it with them. You can expect someone whom has a learning disability to meet several academic disappointments, and failures.

It is very important to remember that it is not impossible for a person with a learning disability to learn. They can learn and with today’s new advancements in medicine and programs to deal with these conditions, it makes it that much more promising. The child’s development is only affected in a limited capacity, and never really impedes the common happiness that can be obtained in life. With all the medical advances these days in this field, the means to correct this disability are advancing very quickly. As one would assume, when trying to determine exactly the extent of the disability, a slue of tests will be performed and from that they can better determine what course of action that should be approached first. Often regulating an administered drug so as to slow the patient down a touch, at least enough as not to make them a zombie, but enough to set them in a position to concentrate on the task at hand. There are many sources that may help, such as special education teachers, doctors, and in some cases mental health professionals.

The method that many doctors will approach is for the patient to first accept and acknowledge that they have this problem, and then they must learn to cope with it in a daily environment. To determine learning disabilities is not the same as diagnosing an illness such as measles or the flu. Each case is different. As a result, many tests must be performed. This will determine exactly what kind of disability may be present, and the best course of action to treat it. Be patient with the party that is afflicted with a learning disability.

Dealing with Dyspraxia – Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Dyspraxia is a disorder that relates to the fine motor skills and their development. When you have this disorder, you have difficulties completing even the most remedial tasks. It is interesting to note that Dyspraxia seems to be prevalent in males and makes up merely two percent of the general population. Completing very simple tasks, which most take for granted, may include everyday such as tying shoes, waving goodbye or brushing hair or teeth.

Although the types of challenges in this disorder may change throughout the person’s lifetime, this is a disorder that remains with them and continues to attack their motor skill development. When a young child, such as a baby, is afflicted with Dyspraxia they will avoid common movements like rolling over or crawling. There are other signs that the child could have this disorder, as well. They can include difficulties with the eye movement, where they move their head rather than their eyes to follow a moving object. They may have trouble holding drinking cups or using such things as spoons. Most of the common things children do are greatly affected, too. These tasks may include activities such as skipping, running or jumping. Dyspraxia will also give great difficulty to speech, assembling recognizable sentences and language troubles. They may appear quite clumsy and fall or walk into walls or stationary objects. It may be difficult to determine what hand they prefer, finding out their laterality could prove challenging. It is also noticed that clothing may be very uncomfortable, and may even be a bit painful.

When the child gets a little older and is now in school, they may find it hard to get along with others. Immaturity is a common trait, and their social skills suffer. Sometimes they become worrisome and pick up random phobias and often even develop obsessive compulsions. Academic problems, rapidly changing body and coordination changes, and speech are all issues that young people with Dyspraxia face. The fact that Dyspraxia is incurable has not troubled doctors too much, as there are early interventions. The use of therapists for motor skills and speech, if used early on, can be quite helpful. This can be an aide in bettering the quality of life now and in the future. It is crucial to the Dyspraxia affected child, that their parents show patience and care. This can be a very frustrating problem, yet you must remember that it would be five times compounded for the actual individual that is affected by it. Offering support and a willingness to help overcome obstacles, will in turn keep their need for improvement at a high. This will show them in the future that they can in fact become independent and successful.

Anyone with Dyspraxia will need help in developing coordination, fine motor skills and even social skills. This will encourage them to be self-confident and give them drive to overcome all the large and small challenges that they will face. Helping them boost self-esteem will give them the willingness to make friends and fit in. They will need these life skills to develop means of beating the odds of failure due to the personal struggles they face on a daily basis. It is said that many individuals will never be able to overcome the struggles they face with this disorder, making it hard for them to adapt in society. The level of discomfort associated with Dyspraxia is more of the social order, as the disorder can easily cause depression, and manic compulsive behavior. It is not uncommon for a child with this disorder to be placed in special education programs, as it basically would be detrimental to the development of the child, to be placed with peers of higher function. These special classes work with children and help with developmental speech and language therapy. This gives them the opportunity to develop at a rate that is comfortable for them, while not stunting development through forced learning and progression. It may seem that these classes are geared for the hearing impaired, as most of the classes cater to hand movements, pictures or cue cards. When someone who has Dyspraxia is approached for the first time, it is as if there is some lag in time, like they are just out of sync. What is most misunderstood about this disorder is that people assume there is a lack of intelligence associated with the disorder, this cannot be further from the truth.

Art-based activities

A recent report by several independent researchers concludes that participating in the arts nurtures the development of social, personal and cognitive skills. Programs based on Arts can improve academic achievement and decrease the tendency towards delinquency. It helps youth form positive attitudes about themselves and build self-esteem.

Arts programs involve communication, interpretation and understanding of complex symbols, much like mathematics and languages. Thus it fosters higher-order analytical skills and skills of evaluation and synthesis. Many of the programs make the child regularly use multiple skills thus making him dynamic and versatile.

Development of imagination, judgment and philosophy are fringe benefits of an arts-based activity. As opposed to the short 45-minute duration of the art classes at school, the extra time allowed in after school activities allows the child to get more involved. This results in more satisfactory opportunities for development of latent capabilities in the child. In turn, the child learns to set high standards of achievement. He understands what sustained focus is and learns that regular practice is the way to excellence.

In the shy or the withdrawn child, theatre, speech or drama lessons may be an outlet for pent up emotions. As drama entails getting into the 'skin' of another person, the child learns to verbalize emotions and express thoughts. These reasons account for the popularity of arts-based activities.

Benefits of a good after school program

Children grow up in a society that demands expertise in everything. You really cannot sit back and decide that learning from textbooks is enough for the overall development of your child. It's the age of specialization and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window of opportunity. So, scour your locality for the most advantageous programs and enroll them for the ones you think are the best.

After school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or a skill that is ignored by regular schools. These programs could be educational or recreational in nature. Whatever type they are, they basically aim to keep the child active and interested.

The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it widens your child's area of interests. He or she is introduced to new things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art form or a new skill increases the child's self-esteem. It also allows you to introduce your child to new career options. A child attending a music class may decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career out of it in the long run.

Socialization is another great advantage of after school programs. Children get to meet others who share their interests and make new friendships. An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on stage or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child. After school programs keep your teenager busy. He or she thus has some amount of protection from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through diverse absorbing
activities are less prone to abuse, depression and burnout. Significant increase in achievement and attendance and a reduction in drop out rates are other advantages of a good after school programs.

Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more adult. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with adults. Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and teachers, but may open up with other adults.

Many children are put into recreational after school programs so that they reduce weight and remain healthy. A newly emerging trend shows that about 15% children below the age of 16 are obese. Parents who cannot put their children on a strict diet resort to sports and games to burn fat. With cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has become a prime focus of many after school programs.

A good after school program has many benefits. It keeps the child entertained as well as busy, and thus prevents children from becoming addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up their excess energy and explore their creativity, after school programs help to shape the overall personality of the child.

A home-based after school program

After school activities need not be taught in a school-like environment by professional teachers in a structured and timely manner. There is a lot you can do to support your child's academic, physical and social development. Do not be too concerned about formal programs, as many of our children are already over-scheduled.

Obviously, school is top priority for children. They need to go to school, and finish their homework. They should then do their daily reading or writing work etc. This may take about 30-60 minutes. In the course of his daily work, your child may develop certain academic preferences and interests. In that case, you can try and find a program in a college or a community center that will help him and encourage him. In the age of the Internet, information is really not a rarity. Allow him to use the net to find more information about thing that he likes. Encouraging the child to do independent research to gain in-depth knowledge is something that no
formal program does.

If you are concerned about the lack of social life, enroll him or her in a club - a reading club maybe. Visit public libraries or even the theatre, if your child is interested. It is not necessary for your child to make friends with children his own age. A parent-child book club is another interesting option. If you can round up a number of like-minded children and their parents, you may well start your own after-school program.

When there is no organized group activity, look to your community. Many children love to get involved in social problems. They get their first real taste of suffering, charity and community help from such experiences. Volunteering for clean-up sessions, adult education programs etc could be a real eye-opener for your child. The lessons thus learnt are invaluable.

If physical activity or the lack of it is your major concern, enroll your child for some dancing classes. If organized sports are impossible to get, try to enroll her in a gym. She may find friends there and may take to the treadmill.

Your child does not necessarily have to be a part of an organized group to benefit from after-school activities. There are various avenues open in front of you. Roping in the enthusiasm of your children in daily household activities like cooking, cleaning etc can also provide them with a refreshing extracurricular experience. Moreover, it will improve family ties too.

After school program - recreational vs. educational

Your child has got more time than is good for him, and you are considering after school programs that will keep him busy. Most after school activities can be broadly classified into three - recreational, educational and society-oriented. The last bit usually comes in when your child is already a bit grown up and can voice his own interests.

Educational activities aim at furthering the knowledge of your child. His general awareness, his understanding and his memory are targeted and he is given various techniques that will help him improve one or all of these. Programs such as intensive memory training and speed mathematics are educational after school activities. There are academic programs that will go over your child's homework and class work and help the child gain more in-depth knowledge in the various subjects. Thus academic programs have a definite edge over the fun and games, especially if parents feel that their child has a lot of catching up to do.

Recreational activities include sports and games, fine arts, painting etc. The main thrust here is to have fun. Of course, classes become more competitive as the child climbs up the ladder. Many sport events, competitions, stage performances etc are held to encourage the child.

When we compare the merits of the two kinds of activities, I believe that the recreational programs have more meat. Firstly, children do not enjoy learning unless they themselves feel curious about something. Most academic programs are standardized courses that are not too flexible. They have a general purpose and a well laid out methodology. After a number of hours at school, the child may feel bored. Further study may overwhelm him and make him feel frustrated. Burnout is very much a possibility here.

Recreational programs provide a welcome break from the monotony of learning and studies. The mental challenge and the physical exertion make the child feel a renewed zest and a pleasant sense of fulfillment. Group activity teaches him social skills, discipline and patience. It is a proven fact that children involved in extra curricular activities get better grades than others. Sometimes closing the textbooks and playing a game may be the best way to handle your studies.

Whatever program you choose for your child, regular evaluation is the key to success. You will have to measure the child's progress. If progress is unsatisfactory, shift your child out of the program. The child should also have the freedom to reject an activity if and when he feels bored with it. Generally, programs that combine the educational with the recreational are best suited especially for younger children. This way, children can have fun while they learn.

Homeschooling and the family

Recent surveys indicate that parents are actually quite fed up of the public school systems where much of the learning is superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about negative school environment ranging from drugs and abuse to negative peer pressure.

As a result, we have a surprising mix of people who form the homeschooling world of today. They cut across all religious and regional borders. Their main aim is providing meaningful and productive learning through a method that strengthens the bond between the various members of the family.

All these families have one thing in common - a long enduring commitment to the sanctity of childhood. The children in these families are accorded a primary position. Many believe, and rightly so, that homeschooling allows parents to bring up children in a more natural and nurturing environment. Public schools can make one nervous, diffident and downright mean. Children who get schooled at home are protected from these damaging negative influences till they reach an age where they can handle it.

Homeschooling draws the whole family into the almost religious task of schooling. Everyone is put to work. The parents together form a bond with the children. Any experience can be turned into an educational experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly what is going into their child's head. Parents also have greater control on the kind of religious and moral values that the child imbibes. Even watching a movie together can become a learning experience. Trips to the libraries and other places become educational as well as recreational.

A homeschooling family is primarily dependent on the income of one earning member. That means that often spending has to be curtailed and proper planning of expenditure is a must. This helps to bring the family members together and everybody gets involved in the process of saving money.

Having a parent at home to supervise, to nurture and care for the children brings with it a lot of love and caring. Even your husband chips in and there just is no room for boredom. Yes, problems do crop up, and there are a lot of misgivings in your mind. But when you know that your kids can always count on you, and your kids know it too, then homeschooling becomes a richly rewarding experience.

Homeschooling and college

As children grow out of their little pants and are ready to begin their teens, many parents wonder if they should continue with the homeschooling program. They fear that colleges may not give equal opportunities to a child educated at home.

Many fears of this kind were put to rest when 2 homeschooled boys got admission into Harvard. Harvard does not require a high school diploma for gaining admission to their degree program. Many colleges are more interested in the knowledge and behavior of the homeschooled children rather than their high school diplomas. In
fact, other things being similar many colleges prefer homeschoolers because of the diversity and richness they bring to their college life.

Admission requirements may vary. While some colleges require the child to appear for the SAT, others may need a general equivalency diploma. And some may not care for any tests at all. The criterion may vary depending on the college that you wish to apply to. But, college courses really do not require any high school background
or special training.

It is common to come across parents who frantically try to shift out their homeschool children to high schools because they fear unavailability of college admissions. But college admissions are open to all educated individuals, regardless of whether they are educated at home or at a public school.

Auditory Processing Difficulties Can Lead to Future Problems

It is easy to assume that a child with an auditory processing disorder has trouble with hearing. This is not the case; the difficulties pertaining to central auditory processing disorder (also called CAPD), are with the cooperation between the brain and the ears.

Life can be tough, especially when it comes to kids. With all the things that need to be remembered and new things to learn, it is easy for a child to become distracted to the point of having difficulties in school.

At times, it may be hard to detect CAPD, as the symptoms may vary from person to person, as well as the severity. There are signs however, that may lead to a conclusion of this disorder. If the child is easily bothered by loud and abrupt noises, or can be distracted quickly, then these are early signs. There are possible environments that may disturb your child. It is a possibility that the child’s behavior can improve in more calm and soothing settings. The child may have problems following directions, no matter the level of difficulty. They may have trouble with speech, language problems or difficulties in reading and or writing. They may have trouble comprehending abstract information. Written math problems may not be the only trouble, they may have problems with the simplest of oral math questions, as well. The child could easily get lost in conversation, and not be able to follow the flow. There also may be an issue with disorganization and or forgetfulness. Many of these symptoms can be a direct result of CAPD. Having this disorder can easily be misconstrued as a learning disability, such as ADHD. Sometimes it can be assumed the child is depressed. Many times however, it is true that the disorder is indeed cohabitation with another disorder in the child.

The speculation of the direct causes of this disorder, involve the possibilities of chronic ear infections, lead poisoning, and or head traumas. There are many unknown causes that can set this disorder up. Every child has to be assessed under individual basis, as each case is as different as the children themselves. The best way to determine whether your child has CAPD is to take them to an Audiologist. There are other specialists that can determine whether this may indeed be a condition with your Child, such as a speech and language pathologist. The pathologist can get reads off your child by interaction, where as the audiologist will run auditory processing tests. Normally it is not completely apparent that the child is afflicted with CAPD until they are at least eight or nine years of age. This is when most audiologists see patients, and to test children for this disorder. The brain of a young child, such eight or nine year olds cannot process information quickly anyways, so it is possible for this child as they grow to develop better skills.

It is recommended for children with CAPD to have annual checkups with the audiologist for evaluation. This will ensure that the primary areas of trouble in home life and school settings can be worked on. These main areas include, troubles with attention and noisy classroom settings. This is known as Auditory Figure Ground Problems. This shows as having continual problems with memory, including short term and long term. This may be an immediate or delayed response effect, otherwise known as Auditory memory problems. Often associated with CAPD, is the lack of deciphering the difference between sounds, and having trouble making out particular words. These difficulties can directly affect the difference between words such as boat and coat. It gives the individual problems in most basic writing, reading, and spelling skills. This is known as Auditory discrimination. Staying in their seat and having focus on what is going on around them will other major issues. It will impede on their ability to complete tasks that are required of them. Many times this is thought to be ADD or ADHD however, it is known as Auditory attention. Lastly, picking up on the small things such as jokes or riddles will be greatly reduced as well as trouble understanding common conversations will be a task in itself. The inability to comprehend even the most simple of language issues is known as Auditory cohesion problems.

Assistive Technology (AT) Help People with Learning Disabilities

Some disorders are physically seen and can explain why a person has learning disability (LD), while others are microscopic and cannot be detected.

A learning disability is a type of neurological disorder where a person’s brain is structured differently than most other people. These slight differences can affect how a person talks, listens, reads, writes, and many other processes. It has been shown that one in seven children have a learning disability. The most common type (80%) have to do with language, reading, writing, and spelling issues. These children are just as intelligent as all other children in their age group. They just require assistive tools and some extra time to help them accomplish the work. Children with learning disabilities have a harder time processing and retaining information. The early a learning disability is detected the quicker it can be intervened and helped. This will enable school age children to be closer to the same goals as their peers and not have to struggle to keep up.

There are several tools that can help people with learning disabilities work around their weaknesses. Even though the disability will never be cured with help from assistive tools a person can learn to better. These enable LD children to work around their disabilities with numbers, letters, organization, and other school age tasks. Assistive tools are made to use for everyday activities including school, work, balancing money, or any other type of task they might need help in. Instead of trying to fix a problem in the brain that cannot be fixed, assistive technology helps the learning disabled to work around these deficits. No matter what the age of the person is these tools can help an LD person reach their full potential. This will give them independence, self-esteem, and freedom to live up to their full potential. The tools that a learning disabled person uses can be highly advanced or just a simple device. It all depends on the person’s individual needs.

This is an important piece of the support system that allows the LD person achieve the success they deserve. Assistive technology opens a wide door of opportunity for learning and daily living that has proven to be a major success for those who have worn the benefits. AT is simply any piece of equipment, item, or product that can be used to increase or maintain the person with the disabilities ability to be independent. This can range from a simple calculator to a computer with specialized software. Depending on what type of item is required there may be little or major training required teaching the individual how to use the equipment. These types of devices are meant to help the person’s overall life whether it is through school, work, home, or any other setting. Even a simple highlighter can be used as an assistive tool. It can be used to distinguish between similar words that cause confusion. Teachers can highlight specific words in different colors and help point out their differences. This will help the LD student become more aware of his or her disability and know what they need to work on most.

On the other end of the tool perspective there are high-tech tools. The optical character recognition system (OCR) allows you to enter text to a computer through a scanner and have it read back to the LD person using a speech synthesizer. The opposite of this is the speech recognition system that allows the user to speak into a microphone and have the sound converted into words in a document. One must be able to read well and go over the document in full to make sure the computer heard all the words right. These types of technologies are evolving rapidly and there are so many out there to fit all needs. It is important to not buy a device just because it looks or sounds like it can help. Get a recommendation to a specific tool that will help the individual. One may find that they won’t benefit from the expensive technology while another person might. Make sure what ever you try is taught to you or your child thoroughly before attempting to use it. The device needs to fit to the individual not the other way around.

Homeschooling Methods

There are different methods of homeschooling, and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your style of teaching.

For many people, homeschooling may call to mind the picture of two or three children sitting at a table and writing feverishly in their workbooks, while mom or dad stands nearby. This is the not entirely true. Given below are some of the most influential and popular homeschooling methods.

The Charlotte Mason method:
Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the homeschooling movement. A homeschooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal to lay out the foundations for an effective a complete homeschooling program that is fun and educational at the same time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music and craft. Mason used a variety of books from classical literature, which she called 'Living Books'. Since this method encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read to daily from the 'Living Books'. After this, the child is asked to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in her book. Mason also advocated the use of 'Nature Diaries'. After each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of the child's personality.

The Eclectic Homeschooling:
This is a mixture of various homeschooling techniques. Here, the innovative parents trust their own judgment and pick out the topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents continuously look out for the best products that will meet the needs of their homeschoolers. Most Eclectic homeschooling curriculums are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children. The child's gifts, temperament, learning style and interests dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the museum, libraries and factories.

Unschooling:
A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the unschooling method. He believed that children learned best when they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided by their own interests. His message was to 'unschool' the child. This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.


The Montessori Method:
This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child. The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather expensive.

These are just a few of the methods of homeschooling. Whatever the method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the child's desire for knowledge to further his education.

Homeschooling Hours

How many, how often and when? These are some oft-repeated questions when it comes to homeschooling hours. Flexibility is of course one of the key underlying principles behind homeschooling.

This flexibility applies not only to the curriculum but also to the number of hours. It is only natural that parents, especially if they have just started out on homeschooling should feel that their children should be at their books all the time when regular school-goers are at school. This is not only fallacious but can also be damaging and counter-productive.

One of the most ignored but glaring drawbacks of the public schooling system is the sheer waste of time and energy that it causes. Many periods are simply wasted away and the child effectively derives only 1-3 hours of study everyday. Then, there
are days when the studies become too intensive and other days when it's only games and no work at all. There is a lot of 'invisible wastage' involved here.

Early on in your homeschooling practice, work out a schedule. It is advisable to stick to the same hours everyday. A routine makes it easier to learn and gives structure to the learning experience. It also tells the students that parents are strict about their learning. A routine also allows your child to free his mind from other activities and concentrate on studies. He knows that a particular time is strictly set aside for learning.

The actual number of hours that you need depends on the curriculum you have chosen and the learning style that suits your child. If you are dealing with a subject that seems to be more complex, you may need to sit with the child for a longer period. Using various techniques, it may be necessary to demonstrate what you are trying to teach. For instance, a lesson in Algebra may take more time than a lesson in English.

Homeschooling does not refer to the practice of sitting in front of the books and learning the printed matter. Field trips, watching documentaries, visiting factories and libraries also make up an important slice of the homeschooling process. It makes sense to intersperse these activities so that learning becomes fun. You may want to finish off the few hours of textbook learning in the morning and dedicate the afternoons to these kinds of activities.

Given the fact that too many public school hours are wasted in meaningless activities ranging from talking to extra-curricular activities, do not allow public school hours to dictate the time you should spend teaching your child at home. Remember that at home, he is getting a high-quality one-to-one time that is highly productive. About 1-3 hours of study is enough in the primary level. It is of course true that the more number of hours you put in, the more learning takes place. This is also the reason why homeschooling children are much smarter and more balanced than regular school going children.

Dealing with Dyslexia – Tips to Start Treating the Problem

With a dedicated regime of teaching and assistance it is very possible for an individual with Dyslexia to make great strides, to move forward in their lives.

When thinking about the condition of Dyslexia it would be easy to assume that it is a condition that will stick for life. One would think that it would affect the way of life for children having this condition, that their future is pretty much going to be a difficult one considering they are afflicted with a disability. Well this is not the case. In many situations, correct a learning disability can and most likely will affect the rest of a child’s life. This can be in way of directly or indirectly impeding their processing and development.

Constant research and continual study has shown that the condition of Dyslexia is not a disorder that is irreversible. With a dedicated regime of teaching and assistance it is very possible for an individual with Dyslexia to make great strides, to move forward in their lives. Unlike many disorders, which impede learning and development, Dyslexia is a condition that is believed by specialist to be directly related to a lack of continual teachings at home long before the child even hits the education system. The idea of minimal guidance from the parent at home, in regards to the simple things, such as cue cards with words on them, to colors and shapes can easily leave a child in the cold when it comes to schooling. When a child does not have the benefit of any fashion of teaching at home, their level of processing information is delayed. They will then get into a situation where things seem jumbled and mixed up. A good portion of the material read and written by a Dyslexic person is in part or fully backwards. In an example for someone whom is Dyslexic and they read an address of 3127 elm st, they will often associate what they have read with 7213 elm st.

There are methods of correcting this at home actually prior to it even being a problem. Working with your children on the simple problems such as small math, and or word associated problems can indeed give them an edge when they are enrolled in school. Dyslexia is not like many other disabilities because the pattern of processing disruption is different. In say Dyspraxia or Dysgraphia the condition can be treated however, the likelihood of them being cured are slim to none. Dyslexia on the other hand can be prevented at home prior to school with some diligence, and structure. If this is not the case and the child does not have any form of teachings prior to school, than it may be possible for the child to have a mild case of Dyslexia. The good news is that there are programs in the schooling system that caters to that very problem, and it can be treated and cured. There are many places now a day that carry cue cards and flash cards that help in the early learning process of young children. A good place to check would be toys r us. There are online educational sites that are sponsored by scholastic learning centers and they have wonderful programs to help a child develop reading skills and sentence comprehension. These programs are catered to the young minds that would be at home throughout the day with the parent. There would be minimal interference at this time and it makes it easy to tutor them in just about any subject.

This disorder is a very treatable condition and should be dealt with immediately upon noticing the signs, not unlike any other disorder. The difference is that this particular condition can be remedied relatively quickly, if not snubbed prior to the child actually making it into the education system.

It is said that between five and fifteen percent of the general population can indeed be diagnosed and are suffering as a result of Dyslexia, in various degrees. This disorder can be compensated with however, by the use of proper teaching methods and therapy. Dyslexia is not biased on which gender it will attack so there is no evidence that there is a higher rate in one gender or the other. It is reported that more males are afflicted only by count of subjects they have studied.

Computers Can Help Kids Conquer Some Learning Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities can truly benefit greatly from using computer technology to aid in learning. The use of computers to improve their skills academically can also boost their self-esteem and social skills.

Students with learning disabilities can truly benefit greatly from using computer technology to aid in learning. It has been shown that LD students can overcome writing difficulties. The use of computers to improve their skills academically can also boost their self-esteem and social skills. This can help the child not feel so different and isolated. The overall performance of the LD student can markedly improve with the use of computers. Many LD students will actually surpass in grade that of the non-LD students once they realize how well they are doing. The LD student changes their perception of writing once they realize they no longer need to be apprehensive. This type of assisted technology has gotten nothing but positive feedback from student, parents and teachers. This technique gives LD students a way to see their thinking and see their words while typing on the computer.

The use of computers with LD students also provides a tool to see if their thoughts are scattered. Because of its easy use, kids can go back and fix mistakes, move ideas around, and subtract and add to them to have them make more sense. Most students find this much easier than erasing or starting from scratch all over again. The students have a built in spell and grammar check to help them correct their papers. There are also several fonts, sizes, and colors to choose from that can make it easier for the individual. This type of system has proven highly effective for those who are dyslexic. Most schools today have computers at their disposal and even in the classroom itself, as well as most homes. Computers can help keep the LD student focused on what they are writing verses getting bogged down and frustrated with all the little errors and corrections. It also helps sort out and sequence ideas. For someone who has a hard time expressing his or her thoughts through handwriting a word processor can be a lifesaver.

Other computer uses are in reading systems. This is great for those who take in verbal information better than nonverbal. The student can see the text on the screen and have it read out load by the computer. The visual and verbal stimulation at the same time can help the student better understand what is going on with in the material. The student is able to highlight specific words, sentences, or paragraphs to help them remember key points or things they need to study harder. There are options for how many words appear on the screen at once so the student can work and comprehend at their own pace. Concept mapping is another computer program that allows those who have a hard time organizing and integrating their thoughts us a visual representation. It takes ideas and concepts and connects them together with arrows or other graphing utilities. It is used to show the relationship between ideas and can be a great tool to help start off any writing assignment.

Programs like word prediction will give the student an option of words to choose from after typing in a few letters to help keep spelling frustration down. Many LD students spell using phonics and therefore make several errors. This type of program can help a student learn the proper spelling of a word by having to pick the right choice to put into their document. This cuts down on time and frustration while getting work done. This allows the child’s creative flow to keep moving uninterrupted and still learn the right spelling of high frequency words. Speech recognition software allows a wide range of LD students many benefits. This program takes a word that is spoken into a microphone and converts it to a readable format on the screen. The student can speak into the microphone in sentences to create their document instead of having to type. This allows the student to correct errors as they go and offers the student to better at reading. They will have to re-read their document thoroughly to make sure that it makes sense and has no errors. This practice helps LD students develop their nonverbal skills at the same time as not hindering them in the typing process if it takes them too long. Other programs such as talking calculators and organization programs can also help LD students in their subjects and organizing their study and work time. Technology today has incredible benefit for LD students.

After Schoold Activity For Hyperactive Child

Parents of such children are well aware that inattention and hyperactivity continue throughout the day. Keeping such children busy after school hours can be as difficult as keeping them safe during the school day.

ADHD refers to attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. Most children who
suffer from this disorder suffer from attention problems as well as hyperactivity. Parents of such children are well aware that inattention and hyperactivity continue throughout the day. Keeping such children busy after school hours can be as difficult as keeping them safe during the school day.

The first step while choosing the right after school activity for your child is to understand how ADHD affects him. Is your child interested in sports? Is he put off by the fierce competitiveness, or does he find it hard to get along with teammates? Does your child vocalize his feelings, or is communication a problem?

For a child suffering from ADHD, physical exercise is always beneficial. Exercise takes up the extra energy and helps to stimulate the brain. Team activities teach social skills and discipline. But, if your child shies away from team sports, you may want to look at activities like dancing, cycling, swimming or gymnastics. Martial arts not only teach techniques of self-defense but also teach self-control and patience.

If your child shows aversion to sport and shows inclination towards the fine arts, you may need to look at some other options. Acting classes are a wonderful form of creative exercise. It also provides the child with ample opportunity to develop his social skills. Music, art or dance can help the child to keep himself busy and entertained.

In case the child is not interested in any of the above, you may want him to join a Boy Scouts club or other community oriented clubs that take up social work. Cleaning a park, putting on a show, helping out in an old age home are various activities that may pique your child's interest.

Whatever form of activity you choose, make sure that you monitor your child's progress periodically. If you feel that there is no progress, you may need to change the activity. Anything that increases your child's self-esteem is good. You may enlist the help of the coach or teacher to assess your child's development.

There are certain activities that are detrimental to a child suffering from ADHD. Computer and video games are a definite NO. Since these games need no interaction, children will feel all the more isolated. These children also find it difficult to distinguish between the good and the bad messages. They may therefore show an inclination to stick to messages that are not needed. Games that need the child to sit and wait for his turn patiently tax his patience and will not be a success.

Although you would want these children to be as near to normal as possible, understanding their needs and limits will help you select the right after school activity - one that is fulfilling, tiring as well as challenging.

Grading in homeschooling

There is no benchmark against which you can evaluate your child's performance. In most cases, you also have no awareness of how well other children are doing. So, obviously the traditional method of grading is perhaps not the best method to follow.

Grading in homeschooling is done by the teacher-in-charge. In most of the cases, this means mom! In this situation, grading can get a bit tricky because it can be a little difficult to grade your own child. There is no benchmark against which you can evaluate your child's performance. In most cases, you also have no awareness of how well other children are doing. So, obviously the traditional method of grading is perhaps not the best method to follow.

When grading a child undergoing homeschooling, it is more important to assess whether the child has understood the subject that is being taught. Inherent in this is the fact that if the child has not understood something, you will go over it again. This will work in your child's favor in 2 ways. Firstly, the child knows that if he or she fails to catch on, the topic will be repeated till it is mastered.

Secondly, the child also knows that once the topic has been mastered, he or she will get full credit for his hard work. Getting full reward for the hard work put in is a great motivational factor, especially for kids.

When assessing your child's abilities, do not allow emotions to overcrowd your rationale. Do not yield to the cries and tears of your child if he or she resists certain topics or subjects. If mastering these skills is necessary, then you as the teacher (and not as the parent alone) have to go over the topic over and over till it sinks in. When dealing with tougher concepts, the child may get restless

and may even show frustration or belligerence. When the child is still young and unable to understand the importance of his lessons, it is your responsibility to see to it that the child develops the skill set necessary for future growth.

In case you belong to a state that requires yearly tests, this will help you to judge your child's ability vis-à-vis his peers. Even if it is not mandatory, you may want to test your child every year. These tests will reveal the variations in the child's learning pattern. It may show

up unexpected areas of strength and hitherto unknown areas of weakness. This enables you to structure your teaching to cover the areas that are weak, and build upon the areas that are strong.

In case your state requires a homeschool report card, keep a record of the yearly development and scores of your child. Include pertinent areas like punctuality, discipline etc in the report. You may also need to keep a record of the number of working days and attendance schedules.

While grading your child, make sure that you use as many external tests as possible. There are several websites that deal with the various age groups, and allow free downloading of question papers. This is an excellent and cost-effective method to assess your child. Homeschooling, if done in the proper manner, will boost the child's confidence because he will be studying to satisfy his natural curiosity. The scores therefore will reflect his true intelligence.

Dysgraphia Disorder

Have you ever wondered why your child has such horrible handwriting? Do you consider this mere laziness when it comes to their homework or class studies? It may not be that simple. There is a condition that causes poor page line organization, communication in writing skills and hand fatigue. It is known as Dysgraphia, and this disorder is also a progressive condition.

This disorder can be seen in many forms, but it mostly affects inconsistencies in letters. Often a person will mix up lower and upper case print or letters. However, it is not merely reserved for that, but also cursive letters as well. It creates the mix up of the sizes and shapes of letters, makes one forget letters all together, and generally makes one struggle with communication throughout handwriting communication altogether. The disorder Dysgraphia is not laziness, nor is it a lack of trying. Many associate the sloppy writing with not caring, or carelessness. This is not the case either. Trouble in remembering the muscle motor sequences that are needed to write numbers or letters is part of the condition know as Dysgraphia. This condition really has nothing to do with the lack of understanding in the classroom, or processing information. It has nothing to do with teaching or poor teaching in general. This condition is solely based in neurology and can easily vary from person to person. This is a condition that can be overcome, and the degrees of it are varying from the start. Some can be stricken hard in the beginning, and some can gradually grow into it.

This condition is clearly remedied by practice and repetition. It tends to fade, as the progress can be made daily. This disorder is seldom present without an underlying condition already active in the individual. It not impossible for Dysgraphia to be the only condition that someone will have; yet it is rare. As the student progresses throughout elementary school, the problem will increase if not treated. This will make for a troubling time in secondary school, where much of the written assignments will count for a good portion of grades and credits. This inefficiency in writing will definitely be a barrier in the learning process. This disorder can affect many other levels of learning as they go. The frustrations of this writing problem can lead to many misunderstandings by the parents, and most of which by the teachers who teach the individual. The notion of a gifted student having trouble with handwriting, or expression because of a lack of word formation is the biggest stumbling block. The biggest problem is that it truly denies the teacher a chance to understand where the student is really coming from. A parent or teacher that is astute may see reason for testing of Dysgraphia in a student, merely by noticing their writing performances. Many times though this goes untreated and the student is just deemed as sloppy.

This condition inhibits the student from having any control over their poor penmanship. Many times this can be discounted for other factors that may include the following. The teacher may assume the student has cramped fingers on their writing tool, or odd wrist, or body and paper per portions. The use of the eraser too many times may lead the teacher to believe that the student is just working too quickly, and not taking the time out to do things right the first time. This however can be a clear sign of Dysgraphia.

Another sign, which should be noticed, is the mixture of cursive and printed letters, or the combination of lower case and upper case letters. The constant changing of the writing slant, or inconsistent letter formation is another indication. It is easy for someone who does not have such a condition, to assume the lack of effort in someone else. Taking the time to research the possibilities that a student may indeed have an underlying problem, rather than just sheer laziness, will go a long way in understanding how to correct this condition. It is not a situation where the student just does not care. The lack of concern for his or her work will be most evident; this is not the case for someone with Dysgraphia. They may be too embarrassed to bring it to the teacher’s attention.

Educative Partner of the Family

Pre-school learning is an educative partner of the family. Here are some reasons that make kindergarten an extremely important educative factor:

it creates an environment adequate for children and it puts them in contact helping them become social assure a good debut for primary school is an environment of protection and passing time with pleasure

Form one kindergarten to the other there are differences regarding the closed and open space children dispose of, the didactic materials, the level of qualification of the teachers and their wish for doing the best they can. Any state or particular kindergarten that is authorized is obliged to offer a good learning process. From the managerial offer of the kindergarten or school, the parents have to find out what are the conditions of life and the environment of the unit, as well as the potential of the personnel.

Directly or indirectly, kindergarten teacher conduct the entire activity of the children. Part of the educative activity is done with the whole group of children, and part is done in stages, with one at a time or with little groups at a time.

The partnership between parents and teachers has to happen. The problems that can come up in such situations vary a lot. Children can come to the kindergarten and have trouble adapting, socially and intellectually both or esthetic and physical. The causes for these things can be discovered by the teachers and parents together. Both the parents of children with difficulties and the ones of children with a normal evolution must be contacted to settle educational programs that involve the family.

Parents can continue at home the educational games their children played in the kindergarten hours, so that the children gain confidence in their power and in the future they can have the initiative when giving answers or volunteering for a game.

The purpose of kindergarten is to make children become social persons, to prepare them for school and to allow them to have fun while they learn. They must be introduce to learning and classrooms at this age, or it will be harder for them be harder to adapt and maintain control once they start primary school.

Homeschool Burnout

When a parent takes on the responsibility of educating his or her child, homeschool burnout is one of the more common issues they have to deal with. There are many reasons that lead to this burnout: an illness, a new baby, added responsibility, change in routine etc.

The symptoms of burnout vary from lack of patience to overeating and crying without any apparent reasons. Surprisingly, a burnout need not be such a bad thing. It is a wake-up call - an indicator that things are not going well and that you need to reschedule.  Reversing or avoiding a burnout is possible if you get fair warning.

Firstly, lower your expectations. Do not be a perfectionist. Take the good days with the bad. Next, when something does not seem to work, look for alternative methods. Flexibility is a key factor. If tension starts mounting, take a break. When necessary, change the style of teaching. For instance, small children love to take on their spellings when they quiz an adult.

Avoid overkill. Do not pack too many activities for the sake of socializing your child. A worn out mom means a grouchy kid and that means no happiness. Get support from your spouse or a neighbor or a support group. Don't try to achieve everything by yourself. Homeschooling means 'happy schooling' - don't forget that.

Asperger Syndrome (AS) and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD)

Part of the autism spectrum disorders, Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a type of developmental disorder. This particular group of neurological conditions is usually accompanied by repetitive thought and behavior patterns and degrees of communication and language impairment. Unlike most children with autism, Asperger children will retain their early language skills. Unlike children with Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Asperger children don’t have a problem with other forms of communication. They have other types of learning disabilities that include speech as well as other areas. AS children tend to be very obsessive on a particular object or topic they have interest in and stay fixated on only that. They will actually know everything there is to know about their topic of fixation and will talk about little else. In contrast, a child with NLD will know how to verbalize anything to which is being discussed.

Children with Asperger Syndrome tend to have repetitive routines or rituals and have peculiarities in their speech and language. They have a tendency to be emotionally and socially inappropriate and have difficulties interacting positively with peers. Many AS children have problems with nonverbal communication, but it isn’t the same as NLD children. It isn’t that they cannot understand anything other than verbal. They tend to not be able to see outside of themselves. They do share the same motor control issues and clumsiness of NLD children, though. The largest reason for Asperger children’s isolation is their narrow interests and poor social skills. Their inappropriate and eccentric behavior can make making new friends hard, even though they will approach others. Compounded by the obsession on only one topic or interest makes peer socialization limited and may also cause others to withdraw from wanting to play with them. Many AS children will also experience motor skill developmental delays that make riding a bike, playing on outdoor climbing equipment, or playing catch very hard to learn.

Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD), also called Nonverbal Learning Disabilities can often times go undiagnosed and not be noticed well into a child’s school career, unlike AS. A child with a nonverbal learning disability cannot understand other forms of communication and has a hard time reading and retaining information. Because of their extraordinary gift of verbalization they are often thought to be gifted, unlike AS children. Their disability is not recognized until after a few years in school and sometimes later. Like AS children, NLD children can have problems relating to peers and don’t take to change well. They are capable of playing many types of games and have a variety of interests as long as the rules are repetitive and verbally given. They tend to also have the same clumsy nature and difficulty in motor skills, especially the finer ones. Children with Nonverbal Learning Disorder tend to be great in school in the first few grades where constant verbal clues and instruction are given. Also, during those grades most teachers are actively involved with their students and they are not left to do things on their own.

Once schoolwork becomes more independent as the school years progress, the NLD child will start to loose control of what they know. They have no idea what to do with out verbal instruction or constant verbal clues. Reading is not understood and they cannot find where they are just by familiar landmarks. These children have a hard time retaining learned material and are often late or get lost. Unlike AS children that might take more time to learn these skills but are capable with much less trouble. AS children can read and write if they are interested or made to interested in a subject. It is their solitary interest that holds them back, not inability to process other forms of communication as with NLD children. NLD children are also labeled as disruptive, rude, lazy, and difficult. This not true they actually work hard and try to learn as much as possible but their disability robs them of the ability to comprehend anything nonverbal. AS children have been labeled the same but their difficulty lies in their inability to see beyond the one interest they have. So their concentration leaves and they cannot stay focused. There are many similarities between NLD and AS, but there are several differences. They may appear outwardly similar but the underlying issues that cause them are very different and they require a totally different set of treatments for rehabilitation.

Homeschool Financing

When people talk about teaching their children from home in the absence of any definite or structured curriculum, it is perhaps natural to think that homeschooling is cheap. But this is far from the truth. Although homeschooling does not stick to any particular text, this is perhaps more of a bane than a boon, when it comes to finance.

When you need to make sure that your children receives state-of-the-art education so that they can compete with regular school goers, expenses will naturally mount. The actual cost of educating a child at home is surprisingly high. Up-to-date textbooks, course materials, a library, computing equipment, lighting, specially designed furniture all cost money. In this case, the cost may be slightly lesser when it comes to homeschooling the second child. Add to this any additional tuition cost for tutors who come to teach subjects that cannot be handled by parents, like higher-level math or science. The total cost can be a bit mind boggling.

If you take another important factor into consideration, homeschooling costs may effective triple. The need for having one of the parents tied to the house and fully dedicated to providing education deprives the family of a second earning member. The average homeschooling teacher is usually a lady with a college degree. This means that she can easily bring home a pay of $35,000 or more. It is also interesting to note that most families that have more than 2 children do not opt for homeschooling at all.

But, there are those who have been successful in carrying out homeschooling at low rates. This is dependent on the size of the family, the support group, the type of materials used and the availability of the material. When successive children can reuse the materials, cost goes down. Much of the course material can be got from vendors of homeschooling materials. A membership in a public library, theatre, concerts, ballets and other cultural events also help in cutting costs. Sometimes, it is even possible to barter expertise. For instance, the mother of an 8-year old gives dancing classes, and her daughter receives drawing classes for free. Support groups allow you to divide the cost of fieldtrips, science projects and fairs.

Whatever the cost, advocates of homeschooling say that the benefits far outweigh these considerations. When you are able to decide what knowledge your child receives and when he or she should be taught and to what extent, it gives you a lot of freedom and a lot of power. Both the children as well as the parents benefit from this mutually enriching experience.

Cope with ADHD and LD Child

Children can be challenging enough without even thinking about a child with ADHD and a learning disability. It is hard enough for most children to sit still and stay calm. For a child with ADHD, this task is even harder. Parents and teachers can get to their wits end and not know what to do or how to help themselves help their child. The ADHD child cannot stay focused on any one single thing for too long. This is not only frustrating for parents it can cause the child to have a learning disability. How can parents calm these little minds down enough to grab their attention so they can learn? There are some things that can be done to help parents cope with this ongoing battle.

Make sure your child has been evaluated appropriately and diagnosed. This will enable your child to get help in school and also make his or her teacher aware that the child has a disability, not a behavior problem. If any medications are recommended for your child, get a second opinion. This will allow you to know if your child really does require medication or if there is some therapy available that will help instead. If it is deemed that your child needs medication then make sure they have it. Watch to make sure it is working and there are no severe side effects. This is your first step in helping your child manage their disorder. Think of what your expectations are and reevaluate them and make them something your child can do. Provide your child with organization skills that can work for them and are easy to follow.

Have clear outlooks for all the things you want your child to do. Make sure you have them look into your eyes as you speak and repeat back to you what was said. This will let you know that your child heard you and now can be accountable for the task. Give praise for tasks well done and for having good listening skills. Allow your child to make choices on their own from time to time. Let the child feel independent and in control of themselves. Make sure you tell your child how to get your attention appropriately and what you expect. Let them know that negative behavior will not get the results they want and give examples of a good way. Make things fun. Chores don’t have to be mundane and if they are fun and interactive, your child might respond better. Laugh and praise while the child is accomplishing a set of chores or instructions. This will help to keep them engaged and focused.

When it comes to helping your child stay focused on their schoolwork, make sure you provide an area of study that is quiet. The less stimuli they have, the more focused they will be able to stay on the task at hand. Sit with your child and give cues and prompts to help them. Ask the child questions about what they are reading and writing about to make sure they are soaking in what is being said and done. Have a strict routine to make sure that your child knows what will happen next. If they know what to expect, then it can make focusing easier. Their mind won’t wander, thinking about what might or might not happen soon, they will know. Make sure to provide your child with the modifications that are necessary to keep them from struggling. Your child will be more prone to lose interest in something if it is too frustrating for them. That is when their mind will wander and they will get antsy. Between lessons makes sure your child gets up and stretches. Pent up energy will not help your child focus.

The more time you spend helping your child be the best, the more you know that you are doing everything you can to help them succeed. There are times when parenting any child is stressful. When your child has ADHD and LD, it can be twice as hard to figure out what to do. Make sure you give them the time they need and be very clear. This will reduce your stress and help your child succeed at accomplishing your wishes. This will also give them the foundation in later life to accomplish their own goals and dreams with the tools you gave them.

Homeschooling Benefits

Why let children learn at home than send them to school? Well, first of all, you don't have to wake them up at 7 every morning and bundle them off to school with umpteen numbers of instructions, and wait with an anxious heart till they return. Homeschooling gives you more control over the influences that affect your child. The growth and development of your child is removed from the realm of the unknown. You, and you alone can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring the curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschooling

Individual attention is another salient benefit of homeschooling. There are no fixed hours of learning per subject. This means that a child has the advantage of assigning more number of hours to the subject that seems tough without any additional pressure. The amount of time needed to learn each subject will depend on the abilities and interests of the child.

The schooling of the child becomes an extended family activity. Parents get involved in every step of the learning procedure. Field trips and experiments become family activities. Thus, the child receives more quality time with his parents. The entire family shares games, chores and projects. Family closeness becomes the focus here. The child is also free of any negative peer pressure while making choices and decisions.

Competition is limited when it comes to homeschooling. The child does not need to prove his ability with regards to other children. His confidence remains intact. Since parents have a deep understanding of their child, they can plan the learning
program to pique the child's interest. It is also possible to intersperse difficult tasks with fun activities. A tough hour with Algebra can be followed by a trip to the nearest museum. Learning becomes fun. Parents can also tailor the curriculum to
suit the learning style of the child. Some children learn through reading, while others need to write, and still others need to see objects in action.

Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to incorporate their beliefs and ideologies into the child's curriculum. There is no confusion in the child's mind either because there is no variation between what is being taught and what is being practiced.

Lastly, more and more parents are getting disillusioned with the public school system. They believe that their children are being pushed too hard or too little. Other worrying issues pertaining to discipline and ethics also make the school system less welcome. Many repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on the basis of their age. Some parents themselves have unhappy memories of their own public school experience that motivates them to opt for homeschooling when it comes to their own children.

Homeschooling is the best way to teach a child if you have the time, the ability and the interest to follow through with his education. After all, nobody can understand or appreciate your child more than yourself.

After School Activities

For millions of parents around the world, the day does not end with the school bell. There are still pictures to be painted, songs to be sung and games to be played. This all adds up to keeping children happy, safe and out of trouble. But, parents have to steer away from going overboard.

After school is not baby-sitting:
After school activities thrive only if it is backed by sufficient parental involvement. What would a soccer match be without parents cheering their little heroes from the sidelines?.

Research and choose:
Instead of convenience being the decisive factor, find out things that will interest your child. Once you select a program, get the fine print and find out what you have to contribute.

Free time:
Many children attend piano classes, followed by ballet and squeeze in some time for play dates in between just before they rush home in time for bed. This rigor is too much for a child. So, go slow.

When to quit:
Often, parents enroll their child in an activity to discover that he may not be the prodigy they thought he would be. This is the time to let go. Your child may not become the next wonder-kid. But, let him cultivate an interest that he enjoys. Remember, happiness and fulfillment are all that matter.

Boost Academic Performance

It is always good to have appropriate habits for your children to follow at home and take with them to school. Make sure your child has plenty of rest. A good nights sleep is key to proper function during the day. Give your child a nutritious breakfast before school and snack after school. Eating healthy not only gives your child’s body the energy it needs to move, but the fuel to think, as well. You will also want to make sure that your child gets plenty of exercise. This will allow them to get rid of anxiety and frustration so they will be better able to concentrate. Children have more energy and need to move around after sitting for long periods of time. It will also help keep their metabolism healthy. Make sure your child’s school allows children to get up to stretch and move other than recess or lunch. This will promote better concentration and boost their academic performance.

Unfortunately, parents don’t have much control over the school system and every teacher runs their class, as they feel fit. But there are things parents can do at home to help their children excel in school and be better learners. Besides feeding your kids well and making sure they get plenty of rest and exercise make sure they do their homework. There is a powerful link between homework and increased academic achievement. The more homework a child does, the better they understand the material and process the information. It teaches kids how to work independently and learn good study habits. They are better able to focus on the task at hand and get things accomplished with a reasonable time. By helping your children do their homework you know what is going on at school and what is expected of them. You will be able to help prepare your child for a test or help answer any questions that might have them stuck.

Having children do homework also helps them to remember and revisit what went on in class that day and prepare for the next. They will be able to talk about what lessons were given and what they are about. That way the parents and children can communicate about what is important. Children also need to realize that work is also expected outside the classroom. Many kids think once out of school they don’t have to think anymore. They need to realize that even adults have to prepare for work the next day. There are valuable lessons to be learned about taking your work home and excelling. It gives children a sense of organization and time management. They need to accomplish their academic goals first to be able to enjoy down and leisure time. As children get older and the work becomes harder, they may not be so eager to want to sit down and do it. Make sure that homework is not a chore or punishment and that the amount of time spent is age appropriate.

For young children from kindergarten to second grade, homework exceeding over 20-30 minutes per day is not effective. Children in this age group have a difficult time sitting still and concentrating for too long. This is especially true when they have been confined all day in a classroom. This amount of time will set the tone for the future. It gives young kids a way to tell their parents what happened at school that day and what would be happening the next day. It is never too early to develop good study habits. Students from third to sixth grade have maximum benefit from 30-60 minutes per day of homework. The focus should be on practicing new skills they have just learned. This will enable them to apply the concepts of learned material and allow for parents and teachers to see any problems a child has with any new lesson. The proper support can then be given so the child can understand the concept and be able to apply it. For junior and high school students there is no true time frame for homework. For some kids it can take many hours. It will depend on the subject and difficulty of the material. At this point kids should be refining skills, making up their own ideas, and feeling more confident when working independently. Homework will set kids up for a better academic and real world future.