You've noticed something. You've begun to understand that there may be more underneath the behavior. Now you don't have to figure out the next step alone.
Start With What You Already Know
As challenging as it may be, think about what you already know about your child. Deep down, you may have already noticed some things about your child and how they’re doing in school. Trust your intuition.
You may be asking yourself some hard questions, such as:
Why is homework taking three hours?
Why does my child avoid reading?
Why does my child seem capable one day and completely overwhelmed the next? Am I missing something?
Why is homework taking three hours?
Why does my child avoid reading?
Why does my child seem capable one day and completely overwhelmed the next? Am I missing something?
From the list above, just choose one of them to think about. Which one resonates with you the most?
This isn’t about going through each of the questions above and exploring all the answers. It’s about choosing just one and considering whether it fits where your child is at this moment in school.
Once you've chosen one question, get curious about what you are seeing. What patterns might give you a little more information?
Gather What You’re Seeing
If you have some of your child’s recent homework, look back over it to see what patterns you notice and gather some examples.
For example:
Which assignments take the longest?
Does the struggle happen mostly with reading, writing, math, or getting started? Does your child understand the work but have trouble completing it?
Does frustration happen at a particular point?
Does your child seem more successful when an adult sits nearby?
Which assignments take the longest?
Does the struggle happen mostly with reading, writing, math, or getting started? Does your child understand the work but have trouble completing it?
Does frustration happen at a particular point?
Does your child seem more successful when an adult sits nearby?
These observations can be helpful when you meet with your child’s teacher. You don't have to wait for a formal conference to begin a conversation. You can arrange an in-person appointment or talk over the phone.
When you do meet, share the patterns and observations you’ve made with your child’s teacher.
As you’re talking with the teacher, you may notice that the home and school picture look different. Your child may hold it all together at school and fall apart at home. Or the teacher may have noticed a pattern you haven’t seen.
Where Do You Go From Here?
Depending on what the teacher says, please know you have lots of options for what to do next.
You can look at what school support resources are available, or your child’s teacher may be able to add some strategies during the school day. There may be things you can adjust when you are helping your child at home. And sometimes, outside support may be appropriate.
You don’t have to know which one you need to start with before you ask questions.
If you and the teacher are noticing some differences in the way your child learns, that’s okay, too. Start by understanding what those differences are and gathering information before feeling like you must make a big decision.
Over the years, I have created resources to help parents better understand their child’s learning journey. Sometimes the first step is simply having someone help you organize your thoughts, understand what you’re seeing, and know what questions to ask.
After spending 15 years as a certified dyslexia therapist, I’ve learned that when a child is struggling, a good place to start is by understanding what may be making things difficult.
Supporting your child doesn’t mean carrying the entire weight of your child’s journey alone. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is have someone walk alongside you.
If you’re wondering what your next step might be, I’d love to help.
0 Comments