Reading, Reading Comprehension and/or Math Word Problems Are Often Challenges for the Bright Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner

Reading, Reading Comprehension and/or Math Word Problems Are Often Challenges for the Bright Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner

Parenting a bright right brain kinesthetic learner has always been tough.  Essentially, these are right brain learners in a left brain world.  That is, schools often are designed for kids who are left-brain learners, those who are logical, sequential and auditory learners.  With the pandemic, we have seen the challenges for the right brain kinesthetic learner,  with reading, reading comprehension, math word problems and anxiety and frustration challenges that are often significant.

In this blog post, we explore the:

  • Unprecedented gaps these kids have
  • Two issues that are often missed, “is your child a right brain kinesthetic learner?” and “does your child have a visual processing challenge?”
  • Threats and opportunities facing these bright right brain kinesthetic learners
  • The strengths and challenges they often have related to reading, reading comprehension and math word problems
  • Assessing your child’s present level of performance and deciding what is important
  • How you can assess for success and have a conversation

Note, for a select group of parents, the threat and opportunities may pose an immediate challenge.  We are seeing cases where:

  • Grade retention is now a risk
  • Private schools are far harder to get into and in some cases, and some struggling students are not being invited back
  • Parents recognize the risks and opportunities and want to discuss how their child can make significant gains over the summer

If you want to schedule a “I want help now conversation”, you can do this by calling us at 561-361-7495 or clicking here to find a mutually agreeable time to have a conversation.

 

“Is Your Child a Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner?”

Over the last decade, there has been a great deal of focus on dyslexia, executive function issues and anxiety.  All three are legitimate concerns that often impact the right brain kinesthetic learner.

Two issues that often missed are: is your child a right brain kinesthetic learner and whether your child has a visual processing challenge.

To help you understand whether your child is a right brain kinesthetic learner, or has a visual processing challenge, we have created two screening tools you can access by clicking on one or both links below:

Note, knowing your child’s present level of performance in key areas is often an eye opener. .  When mom and dad realize how far below grade level their child is, it often spurs action.

Too often a school uses reading levels as an indication of reading comprehension.  That is, they believe that how fluently a child reads is a good indication of their comprehension level.  We have seen cases where:

  • A student’s reading was at the 9th grade level and their reading comprehension was at the 2nd grade level
  • A 5th grader was reading at the 5th grade level and his comprehension was at the 1st grade level

If you may want to schedule a “I want help now conversation”, you can do this by calling us at 561-361-7495 or clicking here to find a mutually agreeable time to have a conversation.

Many of our students have two, three, four or all five of the challenges described in the Infographic below:

One of the Keys to Improving Reading, Reading Comprehension and Math Skills for the Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner, is to find out whether your child is a right brain kinesthetic learner and whether your child has visual processing, executive function challenges or dyslexia by assessing for all these issues.

If you would like to learn more about how we assess for these challenges, you can visit our page “Assessing for Success”. 

If you may want to schedule a “Conversation on Assessing for Success”, you can either call us at 561-361-7495 or click here to find a mutually agreeable time to have a conversation on Assessing for Success.

 

The Pandemic Impacted Reading, Reading Comprehension, and Math Skills, While Dramatically Increasing Anxiety and Frustration

 

Many students are facing 1, 2, 3 or all 4 of the following challenges:

  1. They just have not mastered the decoding and phonemic awareness skills needed to read fluently.  While some of these students may have dyslexia, many more are just not reading as fluently as they should.
  1. Reading comprehension gaps are wider than at any point in recent history.  
  1. Math, especially math word problems, are now a major issue for many kids.  If a student got lost three years ago when schools went to virtual schools, the math challenges often got worse.  This is because math lessons build on the prior lessons.  More kids than ever are struggling and some now hate math.
  1. Frustration and anxiety are now bigger issues for more kids.

Note, the frustration and anxiety is often caused by the problems with reading, reading comprehension and/or math.  

 

For the Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner, Threats and Opportunities

 

The biggest threat to our kids is that reading, reading comprehension and math gaps widen.  Then, the anxiety and frustration will become an even bigger issue.

Another threat is that people believe that transferring to a different school or home schooling will solve the problems.  These solutions have some value, but rarely get to the root causes of the issue.

The other threat is that parents will rely on attacking one or more splinter skills (e.g. phonics and phonemic awareness), and not recognize that while these skills will improve reading fluency, they are unlikely to dramatically improve reading comprehension and math.  

 

Challenges Impacting Reading, Reading Comprehension and Math Word Problems

 

Dyslexia represents a problem with the sound symbol combination.  

Problems with letter and word recognition, sounding out letters and words is a problem that impacts 10 to 20 percent of the students.  

The right brain kinesthetic learner may have this problem.  What is often missed are the other challenges impacting reading comprehension and math, especially word problems.   These may include a number of the following challenges:

  • Difficulty recognizing words previously seen and not mastered
  • Not understanding high frequency words.  These include the Dolch list (i.e., words like and, if, but, on etc.) and math words (e.g., greater than, less than etc.)  These words often do not generate a picture like the words knife or fork do.
  • Skipping words and lines when reading.  The right brain kinesthetic learner often has better peripheral vision that helps in sports.  When they skip words and lines when reading, it makes reading comprehension and math word problems even more challenging.
  • Difficulty lining up numbers and/or missing signs on whether to add or subtract, or multiply and divide.  These kids too often rush through their work and do not either show or check their work.
  • Weak working memory for rules or instructions they hear or read.  Too often programs rely on remembering rules, and these kids have difficulty doing that.
  • Processing speed.  These kids often read and process certain information slower than their peers.  Note if one reads half as fast as their peers and skips words and lines when reading, comprehension is significantly impacted.
  • Attention.  These kids can often hyperfocus on that which interests them but have great difficulty paying attention to that which is boring.

Click here if you want to download our two screening tools:

It is critical to know your child’s present level of performance for reading comprehension.

Click here to learn more about how we Assess for Success.

Note, in our next blog post we will discuss the value of setting BOLD Goals, for both reading comprehension and math.  It is possible to improve reading comprehension by 2. 3 and even 4 grade levels for some students within 6 months.  The first three critical steps are to:

  • Know your child’s present level of reading comprehension
  • Understand their strengths, challenges and how they learn best
  • Set BOLD Goals consistent with the child’s potential — and to do it with professionals with a track record of helping students like your child to make significant gains within months.

If you want to discuss your situation, you can either call us at 561-361-7495 or click here to schedule a conversation.  

 

 

Halloween costumes make books come alive

Halloween costumes make books come alive

With all due respect to traditional ghosts and witches, there are hundreds of creative costume possibilities inspired by books. Maybe your kids want to be Harry Potter or a character from The Magic Treehouse series. Whatever, they choose, this is a great opportunity to bring books to life.

Here are some fun book recommendations you can read with your child that is full of characters your kids can bring to life this Halloween.

Preschool

  • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • I Love You to the Moon and Back – Amelia Hepworth
  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? – Bill Martin, Jr.
  • Corduroy – Don Freeman
  • Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
  • Clifford, the Big Red Dog – Norman Bridwell

 

Early Elementary

  • Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile – Bernard Waber
  • A Bear Called Paddington – Michael Bond and Peggy Fortnum
  • Raggedy Ann Stories – Johnny Gruelle
  • How to Catch a Mermaid – Adam Wallace
  • Peppa Pig Series – Merideth Rusu
  • The Rainbow Fish – Marcus Pfister
  • Frog and Toad – Arnold Lobel

3rd- 5th grade

  • Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis
  • The Witches – Roald Dahl
  • Harry Potter series – J.K. Rowling
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid series – Jeff Kinney
  • The Outsider – S.E. Hinton
  • Dog Man series – Dav Pilkey
  • Magic Tree House Series – Mary Pope Osborne

This is one of our favorite websites for finding children’s books: https://reedsy.com/discovery/blog/classic-childrens-books

Also, if your child does dress like a character from a book, send us a pic at info@3dLearner.com or post them on our Facebook page.

Happy Halloween. Have a ghoulishly good time!

Small changes make a big difference: Handling Meltdowns and Tantrums

Small changes make a big difference: Handling Meltdowns and Tantrums

Handling Meltdowns and Tantrums

Given how smart visual learners can be, it might seem reasonable and natural to use speech, verbal cues, and discussion as the primary means to help your child process their behavior and its fallout. All too often, we just want to talk it out right there and then.

BUT PLEASE DON’T! STAY CALM. Below are 5 easy tips for defusing the situation.

1. Forget the discussion and just assure your child you are there for them. The talking can wait. Now, all you need to do is assure your child you hear him/her. Hug them or wrap a blanket around your child to help them calm down. Reassure them that you love them.

2. Try some breathing exercises together. Slowly breathe in to the count of four. Hold the breath for the count of three. Then slowly blow out through your mouth to the count of four. Repeat three times.

3. Use as few words as possible, in a calm and quiet voice.  Do not talk about what triggered that meltdown.

4. A quiet conversation at bedtime can be a good way to let your child talk over what happened during the day and what may have caused the problem behavior. LISTEN, don’t judge. As they start to understand things, let them help problem-solve ways to calm down if they start to feel upset.

5. Observe the types of issues that trigger your child’s anxieties and meltdowns. Be very aware of how many words you use – and use less. Your child will tell you what is worrying them. Try not to express critique or judgment of them. Let them calm down and discuss things at their own pace. We know that parents can get frustrated by these behaviors.  It can feel counterintuitive to hold back immediate verbal discourse. Try to stay calm, in control, and be supportive. Praise your child for sharing. Always reassure your child that they can come to you to tell you anything. (there may be things you don’t want to hear, but wouldn’t you rather they tell you than their friends?)

It takes practice to stay calm, but this is a long-term trust you are building.

 

 

Could your child be a Visual Learner? What are the best interventions to help support them?

Could your child be a Visual Learner? What are the best interventions to help support them?

Is your child a Visual Learner?

  • Does your child remember places visited, even from years ago?
  • Does your child learn best when they see and experience information?
  • Is your child a lot smarter than present results would indicate?

Your smart struggling child may be a Visual Learner. 

The Visual Learner struggles in school because traditional teaching methods often miss the foundational skills they need to master the curriculum.  

We have identified 7 key challenges that have become more urgent since the educational shifts brought on by Covid:

  1. The Visual Learner is further behind in reading comprehension than they might have been in a regular school year.
  2. Many studies show that the math drop is even larger than the reading comprehension gap.
  3. Schools are overwhelmed and getting specific services needed for the Visual Learner continues to be a struggle.
  4. Processing issues are often not identified or addressed.
  5. Anxiety issues for the child, parent, and the teachers continue to grow.
  6. Most school-based solutions are not set up to identify and teach to the Visual Learner’s strengths. 
  7. There are few resources for parents that help you to be your child’s best coach and advocate.

What a parent can do for the Visual Learner

Most educational interventions focus on what is wrong with a child.  At 3D Learner, we focus on your child’s strengths and natural interests. We support the shift from a disability mentality to a strength-based philosophy.  

 At 3D Learner we coach our parents to focus on:

  • Goal setting. Visualize where you want your child to be in 6 months and a year from now.
  • Use positive language that focuses on what you want your child to do and why.
  • Focus on strength-based parenting and teaching that supports your Visual Learner.

Click here to schedule a “Stress to Success” strategy session or call us at 561-361-7495

7 tips to set your child up for success this school year

7 tips to set your child up for success this school year

It is time to start preparing for the new school year. It is likely to be a bumpy start as teachers and students are acclimating to the “new normal” after last year’s unprecedented events.

We put together 7 tips to help you start the year off successfully:

1.Buy school supplies ASAP.  As mentioned in this USA Today article, a shortage of backpacks, sneakers and other back-to-school staples is expected this fall.

2. Keep your eyes out for state tax holidays and back-to-school sales for a break on expected higher prices. As mentioned in this article, there is a tax holiday in Florida for school supplies and other items from July 31st to August 9th.  Check here for the tax holiday in your state.

3. If your child has summer reading assignments make sure they are completed before the start of the school year.  If you do not have the book, check the library, Amazon, or local book swaps.   We also recommend using audiobooks for the struggling reader, so that they can listen while following the text.  Take some time to discuss what your child is reading – keep it fun and engaging.

4. Now is the time to start transitioning from summer to back to school routines. It is crucial to get your child into good sleep and eating routines prior to the start of school. If they are getting to sleep at 10 pm now, they should be asleep by 8:30 pm when school starts. We suggest doing this gradually in 15-minute increments.

Getting off screens an hour before bedtime will help everyone. Using a visual schedule can be a positive activity for the entire family. Be sure to include specific events (physical activities, snacks, individual activity times, screen time ) for everyone, so that your whole family knows the plan. Include your kids in planning the schedule so they feel a sense of ownership.

5. Start easing into an earlier wake-up routine now. As with our bedtime suggestion, start now with gradual 15-minute increments. You should aim at having them adjusted to the earlier wakeup time by the first day of school.

6. Work with your child on identifying a fun and light summer memory. Especially in the early grades, kids are often asked to write or speak about this the first week.

7. Think about how you want to build rapport with your teachers this year. Teachers are often dealing with their own family challenges, and are facing an upcoming school year where many of their students are struggling.  A brief note that shares critical information about your child and your willingness to help, will start everyone off on a good foundation.

More learning options with the Family Empowerment Scholarship (formerly the Gardiner Scholarship)

More learning options with the Family Empowerment Scholarship (formerly the Gardiner Scholarship)

The Family Empowerment Scholarship is different from other state scholarships in that it allows parents of children with special needs to personalize their child’s education by directing money toward a combination of programs and approved providers. These can now include schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology – even a college savings account.

The Florida Empowerment Scholarship (formerly Gardiner), may be worth up to $50,0000 per year.

You must apply by August 1st to qualify for the full scholarship.

Key highlights of the new, improved scholarship program

1. Services for an even broader range of conditions are now available
For Florida private and homeschool students who have been diagnosed with one or more of the following:

  • Anaphylaxis
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Being a high-risk child
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia
  • Down syndrome
  • Emotional or a behavioral disability
  • Hearing impairment, including deafness
  • Hospital or homebound
  • Identification as dual sensory impaired
  • Intellectual disability
  • Language impairment
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Orthopedic impairment
  • Other health impairment
  • Phelan-McDermid syndrome
  • Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Rare diseases
  • Specific learning disability
  • Speech impairment
  • Spina bifida
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Visual impairment, including blindness
  • Williams syndrome

2. There are age requirements
Students must be at least 3 or 4 years old on or before Sept 1, 2021
Students entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before Sept 1, 2021
Students entering first grade must be 6 on or before Sept 1, 2021

3. Diagnosis confirmation is needed
For most conditions, all that is required is a note from a Florida Psychologist or a Physician from any state that confirms the qualifying condition.  The note must be on their official letterhead (print or digital)  Certain medical conditions may require more information.

4. Funds can be used for more than one service
For example, you can hire a speech therapist, a tutoring center (3D Learner for example : ), and a physical therapist for one child.

5. New rules for private school families that affect siblings
The scholarship now covers both the student with the qualifying condition AND their siblings who go to the same private school. Private school students are now available to qualify, even if they have never attended a public or charter school.

6. Active duty USAF
The scholarship now covers dependent children of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces.

7. APPLY NOW!
To get 100% of the annual amount, estimated to be just under $10,000, applications must be submitted by August 1, 2021.  We predict the Gardiner Scholarship will be oversubscribed.  Parents who take action now will have a higher likelihood of qualifying. Click here to apply.

For more info click here to download the Florida Empowerment Parent Handbook.

 

What makes 3D Learner unique among most Gardiner Scholarship providers?

  • 3D Learner is an approved tutoring and support service provider and has helped many Gardiner scholarship recipients make great gains in learning.
  • Many Gardiner Scholarship students are Visual Learners with some processing challenges — working memory, processing speed, auditory and visual processing challenges.
  • 3D Learner teaches the way the Visual Learner learns. We help you be a more effective coach for your child.
  • Our comprehensive assessment will discover how your child learns best, and their strengths and challenges.
  • We identify underlying visual or auditory processing challenges and current performance levels.
  • Our hands-on approach improves word recognition vocabulary and reading comprehension.
  • We focus on continuous improvement that boosts your child’s self-esteem and self-advocacy skills.
  • We help reignite a child’s innate curiosity and love for learning.

 

One Family’s Experience with the Gardiner Scholarship and 3D Learner

My daughter’s reading comprehension has increased four grade levels and her rate of reading by 100 words per minute. Her ability to comprehend what she is reading has also improved and she doesn’t hate reading for the first time in her life.  Her math skills are improving as well and that is her most difficult subject due to a specific learning disability in math. All of this occurred in less than one full academic year. All while she’s battled severe chronic pain and medical treatments requiring hospitalization.  Denna McGrew

 

Still have questions?

Get in touch with us on our Visual Learner Facebook Page or by calling us at 561-361-7495.

Click here to take our FREE 10 question quiz – Is My Child A Visual Learner?

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