Parents, has your child been recently diagnosed with a learning disability? Did you start to feel anxious about how they will manage in school? And if so, have you ever thought, “Where should I start?” when it comes to assisting your child with learning disabilities in their studies?
This part of raising a child can definitely be a challenging and exhausting endeavor. It’s completely normal to desire the best for your child, however while academic achievement is significant, it’s not the ultimate objective.
At Sparkling Seeds, we understand that what you truly wish for your child is a joyful and meaningful life. We believe that with the right encouragement and support, your child can develop a robust sense of self-esteem and a strong foundation for success throughout their life.
Exams and studying can be particularly tough for children with learning disabilities. However, by adopting the right strategies, you can enhance study sessions to be more effective and reduce stress for both of you. Here are some practical studying tips for parents of children with a learning disability—they may help make studying fun, too!
1. Customize Study Time According to Your Child’s Energy
Monitor your child’s energy levels closely. Children with learning disabilities expend more mental energy to receive, process, and retain information, which means they get tired faster. Extended, intense study periods can result in frustration and exhaustion.
Helpful Suggestions
- Create a regular study schedule with fixed times to minimize stress.
- Plan for frequent breaks: after 30 minutes of studying, suggest a physical activity such as a brief walk or some stretching to help your child recharge and maintain their focus.
2. Divide Study Periods into Smaller, Achievable Steps
Extended study periods can easily feel daunting. Instead, divide each subject into smaller, more achievable tasks. This method enables your child to concentrate on one idea at a time.
Switching between tougher and simpler subjects can also keep their engagement high and avoid burnout. If your child feels more assured in history but isn’t too fond of math, begin with 30 minutes of math, then treat them to 30 minutes of history as a reward.
3. Establish a Study Space Free from Distractions
A serene and tidy setting can significantly impact learning. Reduce interruptions from TV, video games, and the activities of siblings if applicable. A peaceful atmosphere will aid your child in focusing and remembering information.
4. Review Notes Daily
Encourage your child to go over their notes at the conclusion of each school day. Reviewing while the information is still fresh aids in reinforcing learning and gives them the chance to add any missing details.
Effective Study Techniques
- Use symbols, colours, or arrows to emphasize important points.
- Transform notes into mind-maps, diagrams, or charts.
As children with learning disabilities frequently possess a stronger visual memory compared to textual memory, these visual indicators can assist them in retaining information more efficiently.
5. Make Sure They Grasp the Vocabulary
Occasionally, children believe they understand a word simply because they’ve come across it in class. Encourage your child to describe important terms in their own language. If they find it difficult, it indicates they might require additional assistance with that idea.
6. Encourage Them to “Teach” the Material
One of the most effective methods to strengthen learning is by having your child explain what they’ve just learned. If they only repeat memorized phrases, they might not completely grasp the concept.
Try This Together:
- Request that they describe a topic as if they were instructing another student.
- If they encounter difficulties, pose questions to assist them in working through it.
7. Use Flashcards
Flashcards provide a simple method to organize the information you wish to retain. They assist in learning as you write the details onto the cards, and their small size makes them portable for use anywhere.
You can create flashcards manually using index cards or digitally on your computer for printing. Additionally, if you own a tablet or smartphone, there are fantastic apps available that simplify the process of making your own flashcards.
One such app is Quizlet. It allows you to design your cards and study directly on your device, plus you can access your friends’ decks to study collaboratively. You can also create your own decks and share them with classmates or friends.
8. Games as Learning Tools
Games provide an excellent method for students to reinforce the information they need to study. They can unblock moments of intense boredom and introduce elements of play and creativity, especially if and when your child is faced with what feels like just another school task on their agenda. Here are some game suggestions to assist students in their learning.
Crossword Puzzles
Crossword puzzles are fantastic for studying subjects like:
- Spelling
- Vocabulary
- Contextual word usage
Select words from your textbook or the material you’re reviewing to make these puzzles more challenging!
Word Searches
A favorite among elementary school kids is the word search. Players must locate all the hidden words in a puzzle without reusing any letters.
You could also create your own wordsearches based on the topics your child is learning and see if they can discover the words in the search puzzles.
Online Study Games
Numerous apps are available that transform studying, creating flashcards, learning vocabulary, or taking practice tests into an engaging game filled with:
- Colours
- Sounds
- Points
- Rewards at the end
Not only does this visual appeal make learning easier for your child, but the reward system will also keep them motivated to keep playing.
Design Your Own Games
You might consider creating a game yourself using common household items like dice or cards, or even repurpose a game you already have, such as Connect 4 or Twister.
9. Establish a Study Routine
It’s likely that your child has assignments to complete every evening after school. One effective study strategy is to create a study routine. Your child faces numerous distractions, such as video games, television, or social media.
By having a designated time and place for studying each day, your child will find it easier to adhere to the routine.
Suggestions for Creating a Study Routine
- Designate a quiet study area that is free from distractions to help them concentrate.
- Encourage your child to study at the same time every day.
- Prepare a space with all necessary materials organized and ready. This will allow them to focus on studying instead of searching for supplies.
- Some children benefit from having a snack nearby, so if they feel hungry, they can quickly return to their work without losing focus.
- Establish rules regarding when they can participate in other activities, like watching TV or playing video games, during breaks between subjects.
10. Read, Highlight, and Rewrite
Many children return home with numerous notes they’ve received or written that they need to review for an upcoming quiz or test. Use the read, highlight, and rewrite method.
Go over the notes thoroughly to remember the details. Divide lengthy texts into smaller sections. Smaller chunks are far less daunting than facing a large page filled with endless information to read.
Next, emphasize the key information or the details that will appear on the quiz/test. Then, transcribe the essential points onto a separate sheet of paper or flashcards.
11. Movement and Songs
Including movement and songs during study sessions can significantly enhance your child’s focus and readiness to learn.
Movement
Children with learning disabilities often struggle to remain still for extended periods, so introducing some physical activity before beginning study sessions, as well as taking brief breaks during, can improve their concentration.
They can engage in movement in various ways, including:
- Jumping jacks
- Hand-clapping games
- Dancing to music
- Going for a walk
Singing
Singing is also advantageous as it engages different areas of the brain, particularly those linked to creativity and the arts. This engagement can boost memory recall and enhance learning skills that are crucial for developing reading comprehension.
Numerous songs have been created to assist with specific subjects, such as:
- Days of the week
- Planets
- Alphabet
- Multiplication
- Periodic table
One Final Note: Parental Self-Care Matters Too
At times, the most challenging aspect of being a parent is remembering to prioritize your own well-being. It’s all too easy to become immersed in your child’s needs and put them before your own. However, if you fail to care for yourself, you risk experiencing burnout.
It’s crucial to address both your physical and emotional needs to ensure you’re in a good place for your child. If you’re feeling stressed, tired, and emotionally drained, you won’t be able to support your child or their studies effectively. On the other hand, when you are calm and centered, you can connect with your child more effectively, helping them to also feel calm and focused. Your spouse, friends, and family can serve as valuable allies if you learn to involve them and ask for assistance when necessary.
At Sparkling Seeds, we offer caring and personalized support for children, youth, and families. With a focus on teamwork and creativity, we nurture development and wellness through comprehensive therapies and professional counselling. Our comprehensive services include clinical-diagnostic assessments for learning disabilities, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology, all collaborating to meet the specific needs of every child and nurture hope for a bright future via supportive guidance.
Book a consultation and explore the options for assessments, therapies, and services that best suit your child and family’s needs.
