Parents frequently ask how they can best help their child of home some
common ways in which parents help children with specific learning
difficulties (SLDs) include:
(a)
learning specific skills(e.g. reading, spelling)
(b)
helping with homework
(c)
keeping the child positive about their learning (e g, focusing on their
successes, talking about their concerns)
(d)
Maternity with aids (e.g. choice of computer programs. development of
keyboarding skills, use of other aids such as spell checkers, calculator,
etc )
First
Step in Helping
Your child may have already been diagnosed with an SLD or you may be concerned
that your child is not progressing as expected. If so, Make an appointment
to talk to your child's teacher about your concerns
Second
Step in Helping
If you continue to have concerns, a comprehensive psychological and educational
assessment is advised, Thus assessment provides information about
a child's learning politics, their learning strengths and weaknesses
and how they are progressing in comparison with other children of
the same age.
With information about haw your child best learns and where there may
be underlying difficulties an effective support program can be planned
and put info action.
Helping your child at home can be a rewarding experience. It may also
be frustrating of times. The suggestions below will help make skill
development sessions and homework times more positive experiences
for you and your child.
Choose
the Right Place
Try to have a quiet work spot away from interruptions where on going work
and equipment is stored ready for each session
Choose
the Time Carefully
Children ore usually tired offer school. They need to relax. This is especially
true if your child is struggling with some aspect of their learning
because they are likely to be working harder than their classmates
to keep up. Make sure that time is built in for relaxing before
starting to help with homework. However, be careful not to make
this time too late in the evening.
Try
to be Rested and Refreshed Yourself
Most parents of a child with learning problems experience feeling impatient
with their child. The home support session can become a stressful
experience for everyone. Parents of children with a specific learning
difficulty do have additional demands upon their time and emotional
energy. Make sure that you have the time and energy to put info
the support session so that you an be patent and encouraging if
not, Spend the fame doing something helpful but not necessarily
so educational ' or reschedule Avoid o rushed session where you
have one eye on the meal being cooked and another an the demands
of other family members
Keep Home Support Sessions Short
(no more than 20 minutes)
Why? Unfortunately many children with learning problems also have extra
homework to do. They may not have completed written work at school
and have to finish off work at home. In addition, reading and writing
activities take longer. These competing demands need to be monitored
closely. It may help to talk with your child's teacher and see if
less homework can be set while your child is receiving additional
help at home.
Make Home Support Sessions Fun and Successful for Your Child
Seek out Programs and activities that ore different and entertaining.
Avoid worksheets. Using computer software that is appropriately
designed is usually more motivating and has the added advantage
of providing immediate feedback. Games can also be used to consolidate
skills as well as being a positive family experience
Help Your Child to Remember
It is often harder for children with specific learning difficulties to
remember a sequence of instructions. Sometimes it can feel as though
they are not listening hard enough.
Help your child by
- Getting your child’s attention before you speak
- make eye contact
- Keeping what you say short and simple
- no multiple instructions.
- Don’t try to speak above other distractions e.g. the television
- Checking your child’s understanding by asking them to repeat what was
said.
Use multisensory approaches. This means using as many of the senses as
possible to help with really remembering a new skill. For example,
if teaching the ‘sh’ sound, encourage the child to listen to the
sound, to say it, to look at the letters which make the sound, to
make if with plastic letters, to feel it by tracing the outline,
and to write it.
Always Build in Revision Time
Why? Many students with specific learning difficulties seem to forget
what they have learnt unless they have the opportunity to go back
over things. Try to set 1/3 of each session to revise work that
has been done.
Be Prepared for Organisation Difficulties
Teach organization skills but be prepare to provide extra help as well.
For example, for the home support sessions have different coloured
folders for different subjects. Ensure that you have available sharp
pencils, good biro, a ruler, and plenty of paper.
Ensure that Books for Reading Practice ore or the Correct Level
Why? Students need the chance to practice their reading at a level that
allows for the development of fluency. If there a difficulty with
reading more than 1 in every 10 words the book is too hard and the
reading practice is counter‑productive
Keep Reading to Your Child as long as is Necessary
Why? The child specific learning difficulties usually has insufficient
reading skills to read the books they may be interested in. Reading
aloud books they are interested in ensures they still have access
to these stories as well as being a pleasurable experience.
Help with Getting Ideas Onto Paper
For example take the pressure off by offering to write down any ideas
they have or key words they want to use Teach the use of planning
strategies such as mind‑maps and spider diagrams.
Be Prepared for Rejection
Many parents of children wish specific learning difficulties do all the
right things but still find that their child fights the at home
support session. Try negotiation, rewards, etc bat he prepared to
organise for a tutor if necessary, with home backup focusing more
on reading to the child and playing games that consolidate new skills
etc.
