If your child is struggling with reading, writing, spelling, maths, concentration, memory, organisation, confidence, or low self-esteem now is the time to get help.
A difficulty with learning does not mean that your child is stupid or lazy, in fact your child will be working 3-4 times harder to get his/her school work finished. Children who struggle to learn at school can be faced with many challenges and quite often become the victims of bullying by their peers. Low self-esteem, difficulty forming friendships, stress, no confidence and self-harming are some of the effects that a learning difficulty can have on our children.
40% of 11 year olds leave primary school struggling with reading, writing and arithmetic(House of Commons, Hansard Debate 23 Feb 2010).
What YOU can do to help your child:
1. Talk – communicate with your child in a positive manner; know their fears/worries, goals/ambitions.
2. Praise – find something every day to give positive praise about – watch your child’s confidence and self –esteem grow.
3. Play – outside - bike ride, hill climb, walk, throw and catch a ball, swim, climb a tree, skipping. Inside – board games, arts crafts – take an interest in what they do.
4. Friends – get to know their friends, invite them around, and have fun.
5. Time – spend time with them and help with homework, read a book together, encourage them to learn.
6. Laugh – turn shouting into laughing; remember to choose your battles.
7. Positivity – being positive and non-critical is very important to all children. Negativity at school and at home cuts learning in half.
Who can help you to help your child?
If you are worried about your child’s development speak to your child’s school teacher.
Ensure that your child is receiving the help and support they require to enable them to learn and reach their true potential.
If you are still not happy, be persistent and approach the head teacher about your concerns. Ask the head teacher to make a referral to have your child assessed by an educational psychologist. This may take some time but does not cost.
