How To Help A Child With Learning Problems: 7 Tips
During childhood it is common for children to experience difficulties learning certain things.
Normally, this depends largely on the habits and interests of each boy or girl, but in some cases it happens that the child’s difficulties when learning some content are so significant that they are unable to master the most basic aspects of the subject. and we can talk about learning disorders or other psychological disorders that interfere with their educational progress.
In this article we are going to see how to help a child with learning disabilities, so that you can overcome your limitations and learn new ways to solve problems. We are going to review a list of tips to help younger people with these types of problems, in addition to reviewing what it means to experience these difficulties.
To better understand how to help a child with learning problems, it is necessary to know what causes this psychological phenomenon. Learning disabilities encompass a variety of academic difficulties in different areas which affect children not only academically, but also on a personal level.
There are children who find it easier to perform a mathematical equation than to write a text, and there is nothing extraordinary about this. But when we realize that the child has excessive difficulties in carrying out academic, numerical or linguistic activities, we may be in the presence of a learning problem.
When the child does not master the knowledge of some area of knowledge, even when you have reached an age where you should be able to carry out such activities this is where parents or caregivers should go to a behavioral professional (psychologist, psychopedagogue) to determine exactly what is happening.
In conclusion, we can say that learning problems represent intense academic difficulties, which affect the lives of children in various aspects of their lives.
Types of psychological disorders that make learning difficult
Now let’s see what are some of the most common difficulties in the field of psychological disorders that greatly affect your acquisition of knowledge.
1. Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a learning disorder characterized by complications when writing any type of symbols, such as letters and numbers. It does not imply spelling errors, but rather it is only the inability to write in an orderly and understandable manner.
2. Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia involves having great difficulties when carrying out numerical activities, even the most basic ones For example, children with this learning problem are unable to carry in their mind the procedure necessary to perform a basic mathematical equation.
3. Dyslexia
Dyslexia is about an alteration in reading ability in which the boy or girl confuses letters and numbers, thus altering the meaning of the words, even when writing them. For example, exchanging a “b” for a “d”, or a “p” for a “q”, etc.
Trying to help children with learning problems of this type involves teaching them reading guidelines that allow them to read more quickly without making mistakes.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) includes a difficulty when trying to stay focused and attentive in almost any situation, especially in the classroom It is easy to detect children with this learning problem because they are quite restless.
How to help children with learning problems?
The above are just some of the most common learning disorders; Some of these may occur together with others, meaning that a child may have symptoms of several learning disorders at the same time. Generally, ADHD causes problems with reading, writing, and solving equations.
Below we are going to see a list of tips to help children with learning problems.
1. Know in depth the problem of the boy or girl
The more knowledge we have about the child’s problems, the easier it will be for us to help him or her overcome his or her situation. It is important to understand the reason for their difficulty to avoid judging the minor and branding him incapable, which is counterproductive. In fact, we must avoid using labels as adjectives that may pose a stigma for the child; It is more useful to talk not about his identity, but about his actions and those actions that he finds difficult to perform.
2. Know the rights of the child in depth
To the extent that we know more about the rights that children have regarding their schooling, we will be able to look for the best alternatives for them to overcome their learning problems without this representing a painful or traumatic experience. There are trained professionals in schools who have the duty to attend to these cases.
3. Joint work with teachers
It is important to establish a network together with teachers in order to more broadly cover the children’s learning process The teacher will be in charge of letting the child’s representative know exactly what difficulties the child presents, and the parents or caregivers must provide the necessary attention at home, following the advice of professionals.
The most advisable thing in any case of learning problems is focus on the child’s strengths and make them notice them so you don’t feel minimized by your difficulties.
The idea is that the young person can identify their strengths and be able to promote them and feel proud of them.
5. Be patient with the child
Learning limitations can be managed so that their symptoms do not impede the learning progress of children, and children are capable of academic success, as long as these difficulties are well channeled.
But It is important to remember that the process takes time and we must be patient with children, we should not expect quick or miraculous results.
6. Adapt to your level of skills
It is crucial to adapt to the level of difficulty that the boy or girl can assume, so that it is challenging but without becoming extremely difficult. If the “review” activities are too easy you will not make much progress, and if they are too difficult, you will become frustrated and stop trying to improve
7. Talk to other parents
A good way to find support is Have contact with other parents who have children with these types of problems Establishing relationships with people who are dealing with the same things as us is always useful to express our concerns and ask for advice, and we can learn new methods to cope with the situation.
