learning problems? alonewith2: My son is now 7 years old and in 2nd grade. He is a very smart boy. He never baby talked; always spoke clearly. I remember the staff at the daycare he used to go to would always comment on how he talked so much better at the age of 3 then all the 5 and 6 year olds they had. He has a very good memory. He can learn the lyrics to a song after only hearing it once. He uses big words that most normal kids his age don't use. He's very good at math with the exception of writing some numbers backwards.
However, he's never been interested in writing or coloring. He speaks clearly and uses big words which led me to believe he'd pick up on the alphabet, reading, and writing very quickly....but that is not the case. He struggles big time in these areas. I also don't understand how he can do poorly in reading comprehension when he can listen to a song once and remember all the words. It doesn't make sense to me.
He barely passed kindergarten and 1st grade. I don't want him to barely make it through 2nd, too. I just don't know what to do. He's been to tutoring sessions in school, but his teacher's just tell me that he doesn't seem interested in learning.
He is supposed to bring home his work everyday, but he doesn't. I usually get his spelling list on Wednesdays and then only have 2 days to help him study for the test on Friday. He has failed every spelling test so far this year. I've tried rewards, I've tried punishment.....but nothing seems to work.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I just don't know what's going on with him. When he actually tries and applies himself, he gets really good grades....it just seems he doesn't care, and I don't know how to make him care or if I would be able to at all.......
edited to change 1st to 2nd grade....
Re: learning problems? sigkapgirl: Well, first of all, reading comprehension and memorization are two totally different things. However, I'm assuming that when he uses big words, they are in the correct context?
This might sound really dumb, but this is how I always remembered stuff for school: I would put whatever it is I needed to know into a song (usually the Beverly Hillbillies theme song!)
Maybe what you could do with this spelling words is make up a song together (on MONDAY) and then sing it together all week. It seems that he likes to memorize song lyrics, so why not try to incorporate it?
The only other thing I can think of is maybe find a counselor, someone at the school, Sylvan or something that has a different approach to learning. I know that I do well with writing/reading, but I'm not visual at all - perhaps he just needs to have the material in a different context in order for him to grasp it?
Okay, I'm totally rambling. That's all I got! (Oh, and I don't have kids, so I could just be totally wrong. But hey, I tried!)
Re: learning problems? PiscesGoddess: I'm kinda PO'ed at that school for saying "he's just not that interested in learning".. HUH? It is their job to figure out WHY he is not interested in learning. >:(
have you had him evaluated at his pediatrician? After that you get on that schools case and tell them to check him for a learning disability and to put in whatever accomodations that need to be done to help him learn. You need to request what is called an IEP..individual education plan..and they have to follow it and help him.
Im sorry I dont have any better advice for you honey.. other than having him cleared by the pediatrician and then having the school test him..sounds like a learning disabilitiy to me.
( Can you tell Ive had to deal with this before?) :P
Good luck!
Pisces
Re: learning problems? startingover: See if this helps
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/calculators/learningstyle/?
Re: learning problems? hollygolightly: Hi aw2! I'm an early childhood/elem. ed. teacher with all the degrees, yada-yada-yada (not that that means anything, but whatever!)...first of all, I'm always so excited to see a parent INTERESTED in their child's learning. So, yeah you!
Have you met with his teacher yet? She'll be on your side and she knows him and works with him daily and together you can make a plan.
What I got from your post is your son's strengths are memorization, strong vocabulary, and math skills. His weaknesses are organizational skills, letter and sound recognition, decoding skills, writing and comprehension.
Typically boys are less interested in writing and coloring than girls, which can make them appear to be behind in fine motor skills when compared to same age girls. Strengthen those finger muscles by playing with playdoh, tearing paper, building with legos. Let him write or draw about things that interest him. Does he want something from the store? He'll need to write it down first. Does that make sense?
In my classroom we use lots of songs from Dr. Jean to help with letter sound recognition. You can order them at drjean.org.
Reading comprehension is not the same as repeating song lyrics. Since singing is something he enjoys, ask him to explain the songs. If the song is about trees, ask him what he knows about trees. Get his mind thinking!
Spelling tests - by 1st grade it is his responsibility to bring them home. My suggestion (not sure how feasible if you work late) is this. Ahead of time tell the teacher your plan so she can give you access to the list. On Monday after school ask him where the spelling list is. Forgot it? Hmm. How sad. We can't go to the park (fill in whatever fun thing you had planned to do that day) now because we have to drive to the school to get your spelling list. Be tough! He will probably cry, get upset, etc., but this will only happen a few times. Within a couple weeks he WILL remember the list!
Also, unless he is performing low in more than one area, he likely will not qualify for an IEP.
Hope this helps a little! holly
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