Math
Reduce Learning Losses Over Summer
To reduce the effects of the “summer slide”— or the academic regression that many students experience during extended breaks from school — try to blend learning opportunities into your child’s preferred activities or daily routines. Here are some ideas that you can adjust based on your child’s age… Daily Reading No matter your child’s age,…
Read MoreAnxiety and Math
The impact of anxiety on math achievement has received significant attention in the field of educational research. There is no doubt that anxiety symptoms and math performance are negatively related (as one goes up, the other goes down). In some kids, problems in math may cause anxiety. But in other kids, anxiety may contribute to…
Read MoreWhen Perfectionism Becomes a Problem for Your Child
Perfectionism is tricky. On the one hand, it is praised when associated with high achievement. But on the other hand, it can contribute to avoidance and inflexible behavior, and it can be associated with anxiety. Is your child overly critical of themselves or do they set unrealistic expectations? Are they hesitant to try new things?…
Read MoreIf Your Child Needs Help in the Public Schools…
There is a formal process for getting your child the help they need. The details will vary by state, but the general steps are similar. Also keep in mind that some schools have more resources than others, so delays can be quite long (e.g., 3-6 months or more). Begin to advocate as soon as possible!…
Read MoreDo You Need A Second Opinion About Your Child’s Development?
Has your child already been evaluated by a psychologist or the school system, but you still have a lot of questions? Maybe you wonder about a diagnosis. Or maybe the evaluation was completed years ago, and you need an updated perspective. When it comes to understanding a child’s thinking, learning, behavior, emotions, executive functioning, academics,…
Read MoreCurious About Learning Disabilities?
I am surprised how often learning disabilities (or learning disorders) are misunderstood. This label can be mistakenly used as a general description for a child who has any type of learning challenges, including by pediatricians and other medical doctors. But a learning disorder is actually a specific pattern in how a child’s overall cognitive versus…
Read MoreTeaching Early Numeracy Skills to Young Children
Does your young child show learning challenges related to early math concepts? Early warning signs can include problems recognizing numbers, counting, and understanding the number line. Do you notice any other challenges related to early math skills? What about the following… Your child may need to strengthen foundational skills in math. Here are some strategies…
Read MoreHow Do I Find the Right School for My Child?
Regardless of a child’s abilities, many parents worry about their educational setting at some point. Is your child getting enough support? Is your child being challenged? Are your child’s peers a good influence? If only there was a crystal ball… In some cases, families really know that their child’s school is not a good fit.…
Read MoreDoes My Child Need Help?
As parents, we can see our whole child. This includes their incredible, unique, and special characteristics, but also the ones that make us worry. Every child has both strengths AND weaknesses. Development is also really discontinuous. This means that some areas mature earlier than others, early concerns will resolve, and later concerns can show up. Even…
Read MoreMonitoring Your Child After COVID-19
Parents, teachers, therapists, healthcare providers, and more are all noticing the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and teens. Even though the pandemic is over, we are still dealing with the effects. What do we know from science so far? Well, it’s messy. Findings vary based on child age, physical health, school and…
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