How to help a child with learning difficulties: 7 tips

A series of tips on how to give support and help to children with difficulties in school.

During childhood it is common for children to experience difficulties in 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 difficulties of the little one when learning some content are so significant that they are unable to master the basics 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 disabilitiesto help them overcome their limitations and learn new ways of problem solving. We will review a list of tips to help young children with these types of problems, as well as an overview of what is involved in experiencing these difficulties.

What are learning disabilities?

To better understand how to help a child with learning disabilities, it is necessary to know what causes this psychological phenomenon. Learning disabilities encompass a variety of academic difficulties in different areas, affecting children not only in the classroom but also in the classroom.They affect children not only academically, but also personally.

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 presents excessive difficulties to perform academic, numerical or linguistic activities, we may be in the presence of a learning problem.

When the child does not master the knowledge in some area of knowledge, even when he/she has reached an age when he/she should be able to perform such activities. when he/she has reached an age when he/she should be able to perform such activities, it is then when parents or caregivers should be concerned.It is then that parents or caregivers should take the child to a behavioral professional (psychologist, educational psychologist) to determine exactly what is going on.

In conclusion, we can say that learning disabilities represent intense academic difficulties, which affect the lives of children in various aspects of their lives.

Types of psychological disorders that hinder learning

Now let's see what are some of the most common difficulties in the field of psychological disorders that greatly affect their acquisition of knowledge.

1. Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning disorder characterized by complications in writing any type of symbols, such as letters and numbers. any type of symbols, such as letters and numbers. It does not involve spelling errors, but is only the inability to write in an orderly and comprehensible manner.

2. Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia involves having great difficulty in carrying out numerical activities, even the most elementary ones.. For example, children with this learning disability are unable to carry out in their minds the procedure necessary to perform a basic mathematical equation.

3. Dyslexia

Dyslexia is an alteration in the ability to read in which the child confuses letters and numbers, thus altering the meaning of 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 patterns that allow them to read more quickly without making mistakes.

4. ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) involves a difficulty in 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 disabilities?

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. adhd usually causes problems with reading, writing and solving equations.

Below is a list of tips to help children with learning disabilities.

1. Knowing the child's problem in depth

The more knowledge we have about the child's problem, the easier it will be for us to help the child overcome his or her situation. It is important to understand the reason for the child's difficulty in order to avoid judging the child as incapable, incapable, incapable or incapable. and labeling the child as incapable, which is counterproductive. In fact, we must avoid using labels as adjectives that may stigmatize the child; it is more useful to talk not about his or her identity, but about his or her actions and those actions that are difficult for him or her to perform.

2. Knowing the child's rights in depth

As we learn more about the rights that children have in terms of their schooling, we will be able to find the best alternatives to help them overcome their learning problems without this representing a painful or traumatic experience. In the schools there are trained professionals who have the duty to attend to these cases.

3. Working together with teachers

It is important to establish a network of work together with the teachers in order to cover the learning process of the children more comprehensively.. The teacher will be in charge of letting the child's representative know exactly what the child's difficulties are, and the parents or caregivers should give the necessary attention at home, following the advice of the professionals.

4. Focus on strengths

The best thing to do in any case of learning problems is to focus on the child's strengths. focus on the child's strengths and point them out to him/her.The idea is for the young person to be able to identify his or her strengths and be able to encourage them and be proud of them.

The idea is for the young person to be able to identify his or her strengths and to be able to promote them and be proud of them.

5. Be patient with the child

Learning limitations can be managed so that their symptoms do not impede the child's learning progress, and children are capable of succeeding academically, as long as these difficulties are well channeled.

But it is important to remember that the process takes timeBut 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 their level of competence

It is crucial to adapt to the level of difficulty that the child can assume, so that it is challenging but not extremely difficult. If the "review" activities are too easy, he/she will not make much progress, and if they are too difficult, he/she will become frustrated. If they are too difficult, he or she will become frustrated and stop trying to improve..

7. Talk to other parents

A good way to find support is to contact with other parents who have children with this type of problem.. Establishing relationships with people who are dealing with what we are dealing with is always helpful for expressing one's concerns and asking for advice, and we can learn new ways to cope.

Bibliographical references:

• Andrade-Lotero, Luis Alejandro (2012) Cognitive load theory, multimedia design and learning: a state of the art Magis. International Journal of Research in Education, 5(10): pp. 75 - 92.
• Farnham-Diggory, S (2004). Learning Difficulties. Madrid: Ediciones Morata.
• García, J. N. (1998) Manual de dificultades de aprendizaje. Madrid: Narcea.
• Rogers, C.R. & Freiberg, H.J. (1994). Freedom to Learn. Columbus, OH: Merrill/Macmillan.