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Elementary School

Recognizing ADHD

Submitted by tutordoctor on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 16:04

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the inability of a child to focus, sit still or pay attention for more than a couple of minutes. 8 - 10% of children of school-going age have ADHD. Boys are three times more likely to have ADHD than girls, although we are yet to understand why. Of course all children get excited and younger children have trouble concentrating for long periods of time, but ADHD is a permanent state which affects a child's ability to cope socially, academically and at home. Early detection can help everyone, from teachers to parents to family members, to understand and cope with the symptoms of ADHD.
ADHD can be divided into three subcategories, each with their own symptoms which are listed below:

Inattentive
• Inability to pay attention to details. They make lots of errors with schoolwork or other activities
• They cannot pay attention for more than a few minutes
• Apparent listening problems
• They find it difficult to follow simple instructions
• They are disorganized
• They avoid taxing mental tasks
• They lose things
• Easily distracted
• Forgetful

Hyperactive-impulsive
• Constant fidgeting - they can't sit still
• They have trouble sitting down
• Excessively active
• Can't play quietly
• Excessively talkative
• They have trouble waiting for their turn
• They like to blurt out answers without listening to the whole question
• They are always interrupting

The third category consists of a combination of the symptoms above. The child must consistently display the same behavior regardless of circumstances to show that they are not just excited or upset. The symptoms must also be present before the child is seven years old.

Luckily, there are many coping mechanisms that help the ADHD child to cope with school, social and family situations. There are a number of medications that help with the symptoms of ADHD. For those parents who wish to avoid medication, there are behavioral therapies, diets and alternative therapies that can be used to help curb symptoms.

Diagnosis is a complex process. If you suspect your child may have ADHD, you should consult a doctor immediately. After a physical examination, the doctor will recommend that your child be referred to a psychologist or neurologist to ascertain the cause of the symptoms. Children may act out when they are depressed or to hide learning disorders. Every child is different and you want your child to be correctly diagnosed.
Once your child has been diagnosed, discuss treatment options with your medical team, family and friends to find one that works for you and your child. It's essential that you work with your child's teachers to ensure that there is proper supervision in the classroom. The teacher can help by minimizing distractions e.g. seating your child near the front of the classroom rather than near the window.
It's important to remember that ADHD is treatable and early detection can make all the difference. Children who suffer from ADHD are not 'bad' or acting out; they are simply unable to contain their energy. If you suspect that your child may have ADHD, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Tags:

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperavtivity Disorder

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Recognizing Dyslexia

Submitted by tutordoctor on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 08:54

If your child is struggling to keep up at school, there may be several contributing factors including dyslexia. About 80% of students with learning disabilities have dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that makes it difficult for students to read, recognize symbols and interpret words. Dyslexia is the most common learning disorder and it stays with children throughout their lives. It's often the parents who recognize that there is something amiss and it's crucial to identify dyslexia as soon as possible in order to help your child to learn in a way that suits their needs.

Delayed speech: As a baby, the dyslexic child will have trouble learning to speak. Although they will master speech successfully, they will be late starters in this area. They may also mix up sounds or use the incorrect words in sentences. Dyslexic children also have trouble pronouncing R's and L's as well as M's and N's well into the third and fourth grades.

Dominance issues: Dyslexic children often don't establish a dominant side until really late in life. They will not be able to tell the difference between left and right and may be a little clumsy. They will use their hands interchangeably i.e. they usually establish dominance around 7 or 8, but might still use one hand to draw and another to play sports.

Switching the order of numbers and letters: This commonly occurs with children who are learning to read, but if the problem persists after the age of seven or eight it should be addressed. Children who have dyslexia will also read very slowly and have great trouble recognizing words.

Trouble copying work from the board or from a book: Difficulty interpreting words and symbols will mean that the dyslexic child will have great difficulty copying work down. There will also be a general disorganization of words and letters on a written page. They will have trouble learning letters and the order they appear in the alphabet.

Disparity between reading and learning: You will see your child learn very quickly in other areas, but fall behind in lessons that are text related. This also translates into a difficulty with handwriting and trouble learning to spell words correctly. They will find it difficult to recognize rhyming words, even if they read books like Dr. Seuss, they will not be able to tell you that cat rhymes with hat.

Math problems: Dyslexia is not restricted to reading and you may find your child has trouble with math too. Symbols and numbers are just as difficult for the dyslexic to interpret as letters are.

Early signs of dyslexia require further investigation. If you suspect your child may have a learning disorder, seek the council of a developmental psychologist who can not only test your child to identify leaning difficulties, but they can also help you and your child to overcome learning problems.

Tags:

Dyslexia

Elementary school

Learning Disorders

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Typing spells the end of cursive writing

Submitted by tutordoctor on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 16:44

Remember practicing the endless pages of patterns and curls that culminated in cursive? I struggled to master many of the letters and longed for the simple lines of print. Cursive writing was traditionally introduced in the second grade and mastered in the third, but many schools are skipping over cursive to opt for the more tech-savvy options. Once children have learned how to write, educators are increasingly moving them on to the keyboard so that they can learn to type. Could this spell the end of cursive writing?

It would seem so as 46 states have adopted the Common Core Standards which no longer mandate the teaching of cursive in elementary schools. Of course the need to type in today's computer-centric world is obvious and many schools move second and third graders who have mastered printing their letters straight to the keyword.

Jan Olsen, founder of "Handwriting without Tears" laments the loss of penmanship saying; “If you stop teaching handwriting in the second grade, you’re going to have a generation of people who write like second graders.”

Some parents are also sad to see the end of the elegant script. Lisa Faircloth, an Atlanta mother of two says she's really glad that her son Joe learned cursive before it was cut; "I feel like it has helped him with his fine motor skills and made him more graceful," she says. "He shows more of an interest in art because he is able to form things he hadn't before and has new muscle movements that he didn't know before."

Other researchers are not concerned with the possibility that future generations may not be able to read the Declaration of Independence or sign autographs. They are content to have students read important documents transcribed in digital form and sign their names in print.

The only remaining argument in support of cursive writing is the speed at which it enables the writer to work. If most students had access to laptops or PCs which made it possible for them to type in-school assignments and exams, then the death of cursive would be a moot point. But with most of the work in schools still done by hand, a legible handwriting that can be quickly executed is invaluable. Under the stress of exams and with time constraints, students may not have enough time to write legibly; an impediment that may see them lose valuable marks. If your child can write legibly in print and fast enough to keep up during exams and while taking notes in class, they may not need to learn cursive writing.

Good penmanship has always been an asset to the well-rounded individual. Perhaps it's old fashioned, but most people appreciate the personal touch that a hand-written letter or card conveys so much more than their digital counterparts. But sentiment must give way to progress as the need for children to be able to type outweighs the romance of cursive writing.

Tags:

Cursive writing

Elementary school

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Holiday Cooking Science Lab

Submitted by tutordoctor on Mon, 12/19/2011 - 17:17

How teaching your child to cook can help with their lab skills

Cooking with your kids teaches valuable skills such as the importance of nutrition and what vitamins and minerals they can find in the foods you prepare. Leaning to cook gives kids control of their nutrition and calorie intake while imparting skills that benefit their ability to work in a lab and perform complex experiments.

The first step is to get your kids to look up recipes on the Internet or in a cook book. Watch YouTube videos which demonstrate different cooking techniques.

Once you have agreed upon a recipe, get them to make a list of all the ingredients. The next step is to set out all the implements and ingredients. This helps to reinforce the importance of preparation before starting an experiment in the lab.

Check that everything is in good working order. Discuss stove and electricity safety. This is an excellent way to learn how to safely handle equipment in the lab.

Ask your child to read the recipe from start to finish. Reading and following recipes teaches them how to follow instructions; a skill that will help with exams, lab work and experiments at school. Get your child to read the instructions out loud so that they can practice reading at the same time.

When encountering unfamiliar cooking terms such as folding, whisking or beating, ask your child to use the index where they can find definitions. This will help to reinforce the idea that unfamiliar words should be looked up.

Teach your child to measure accurately. Accurate measuring techniques will ensure success with both baking and experiments. Older children can investigate the chemical reactions that take place as the ingredients combine.

The most important thing is that everyone has fun. This is not only an excellent learning opportunity, but it is also a great activity to share with your children. This is the one time your kids can have fun playing with their food. H

ere is an easy recipe for cookies that are perfect for the holidays and for the beginner chef.

· 1 cup butter, softened

· 1 cup granulated sugar

· 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 1 egg

· 1 teaspoon vanilla

· 2 1/2 cups flour

In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Stir in the flour.

Divide dough in half. Shape each half of dough into a 6-inch-long roll. Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Roll out and cut with a cookie cutter. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. Decorate with icing sugar and candy.

Tags:

holiday activities

Elementary school

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Top Six Books for Elementary School Children

Submitted by tutordoctor on Thu, 12/08/2011 - 15:53

Add books to your Christmas shopping list and get your kids reading during the holidays. Picking books that your children will find enjoyable encourages them to read, improves vocabulary and develops comprehension skills. If you are looking for the very best books to buy your children this holiday, look no further. Here is a comprehensive list that is sure to pique the interests of your young readers.

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Willy Wonka's amazingly marvellous chocolate factory will be open for just one day to five lucky children who find a golden ticket in a Wonka chocolate bar. When Charlie discovers his ticket, he is in for a tour beyond his wildest imaginings filled with chocolate waterfalls, fancy sweets and Oompa Loompas.

2. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

National Book Award Finalist, 2007 Eisner award winner for Best Graphic Album, Eisner Award nominee for Best Coloring and winner of the 2007 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Award. This amazing little book combines the best graphics with a thrilling story that will have you on the edge of your seat; right up until the spectacular twist in the tail.

3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

When Edward, Susan, Lucy and Peter stumble through a magical wardrobe, they find themselves in a wintery world ruled by the evil white witch. To restore the land of Narnia to its gentle wise ruler, the lion Aslan, the four children must go on an adventure of epic proportions.

4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl; boy genius, criminal mastermind, millionaire meets his match when he decides to kidnap Holly Short, a fairy in the LEPrecon unit. But these aren't your average glitter fight and rainbow fairies; these are black ops fairies. Even the author describes the book as "Die Hard with fairies."

5. This Book is not good for you by Pseudonymous Bosch

When Cass's mom gets kidnapped by the evil genius Sen͂or Hugo, Cass and Max-Ernest must find the magical tuning fork to pay her ransom. Will they find the magical instrument in time? Will they discover the evil ingredient that makes this diabolical dessert villain's chocolate so irresistible? Will their teeth rot during this adventure? You will have to read it to find out.

6. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Max is a man of very little brain and much brawn. Everyone is afraid of him. He felt very lonely until Freak came along. Freak was a little weird too; he had a huge brain and very little brawn. Together they were unstoppable; together they were Freak the Mighty.

Tags:

Elementary school

reading