Introduction If you’re the parent of a child who’s struggling in school, you may have heard the term ‘processing speed’ and wondered what it means. Processing speed refers to how quickly information travels throughout the brain. A processing speed deficit can affect learning dramatically. Compare it to riding a train that travels at 30 miles [...]
27
Oct
Effective Math Strategies
Introduction Whether your child is a teenager or first-grader, there are a variety of strategies that can be effectively employed to help them become proficient at math. One of the most effective strategies for teaching math involves the use of manipulatives. Manipulatives are concrete objects that can be employed to demonstrate abstract math concepts. They [...]
20
Oct
The Role of Executive Function in Learning
Executive function is the cognitive process we use to focus on certain tasks. Planning, organizing, prioritizing, managing time and strategizing are some of the things that require executive function. Working memory, which is the ability to hold information in the mind in order to carry out a task, is also a part of executive function. [...]
13
Oct
The Left and Right Side of the Brain
You may have heard me refer to the left and right sides of the brain when I’m talking about dyslexia and reading proficiency. Since the left side of the brain is where most language processing occurs, it impacts the ability to read, which is where kids with dyslexia run into problems. Because the two hemispheres [...]
06
Oct
The Language Tune-Up Kit at Home
The Language Tune-Up Kit at Home is a great resource that I recommend for parents of kids with dyslexia. It was developed by Jim Worby, who had two children with dyslexia who were enrolled in a special school for kids with learning disorders. He wasn’t happy with the results the school was getting when it [...]
29
Sep
What is The Orton-Gillingham Method of Reading Instruction?
If you have a child who’s having difficulty reading, you may have heard of Orton-Gillingham. It’s a method of reading instruction used to help children with learning disabilities. Basically, reading at the simplest level is about decoding sounds to make up words. What happens with kids with dyslexia is that the part of the brain [...]
22
Sep
Phonological Awareness – The Foundation of Reading
You may have heard the term phonological awareness if you have a child who’s having trouble learning to read. It refers to the ability to understand the sound structure of words. Phonemes are the small units of sound that make up language. In order to communicate with words, you need to be able to differentiate [...]
15
Sep
The Metronome as a Tool
Because the brain loves rhythm and patterns, one technique we use to get brain functions working in synch is the metronome. The beat of the metronome creates a rhythm that the brain can follow. When we do brain training, especially with the PACE program, we use an online metronome. BrainWare Safari uses it, as well, [...]
08
Sep
Movement and ADD
I know that your ultimate goal is for your child to be able to sit still and learn, but the fact of the matter is that oftentimes in order to reach that goal we have to meet our children where they are. That means that we don’t compare them to other children and expect them [...]
08
Sep
Create a “Back to School” Scrapbook
The first classroom your child walks into on the first day of school swirls with energetic conversation: friends chat about what activities they did, where they went on vacation, and which classmates they spent time with. Why not create a book that helps your child record the best of what he's done all summer? Here's [...]
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