2023 Smart Mom’s Toybox: The Good-for-Your-Brain Toylist Posted on November 8, 2023October 23, 2023 by Sandra Zamalis The holiday season is here, and maybe you’re looking for some fresh games, toys, and gift ideas for some of the people on your list! The Smart Mom’s Toybox is our collection of some of our favorite new (and old) games, toys, books, or activities that are exciting for kids and adults—and boost brain skills, …
Targeting Math Struggles: Brain Training vs. Tutoring Posted on November 8, 2023October 25, 2023 by Susie McDaniel As many parents themselves can attest to, challenges with math are not unique to any particular generation. In fact, math struggles have little to do with genes, age, gender, study habits—or even intelligence! Plenty of very intelligent people have dyscalculia, which just means “trouble with numbers.” The cause of math struggles So, what is to …
Holiday Survival Tips for Kids with ADHD Posted on November 1, 2023October 7, 2024 by Sandra Zamalis For many families, the holiday season is a time of celebration and creating cherished memories. However, for kids with ADHD, it can also be a time of heightened challenges. The combination of excitement, change in routine, and sensory overload can make it overwhelming, leading to stress, meltdowns, and a very not-joyful season for the whole …
Is Cognitive Fitness Within Your Control? Posted on October 31, 2023October 4, 2023 by Susie McDaniel I’ve often wondered what role personality traits play in cognitive fitness. I’ve heard that people who are outgoing, conscientious and organized less likely to develop cognitive impairment. Is it because they tend to be more social, enjoy detail-oriented tasks and can juggle more activities (i.e., work, hobbies, time with friends)? The American Psychological Association published …
Possible Root Causes of Reading Struggles Posted on October 27, 2023September 19, 2023 by Dargan Coggeshall Reading is a complex task that requires a variety of skills in order to happen efficiently. If your child faces reading struggles, there are many possible root causes. What’s important to note is that reading issues won’t just go away with more tutoring, more practice, or just reading to your child more often. If there …
What You May Not Know About Learning Styles Posted on October 20, 2023September 14, 2023 by Dargan Coggeshall For years, the concept of “learning styles” has been widely discussed and applied in educational settings. However, recent research suggests that there may be more to this topic than meets the eye. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the concept of learning styles and explore why accommodating them might not always be the most …
What Are Types of Dyslexia? Posted on October 18, 2023September 18, 2023 by Sandra Zamalis When kids struggle with reading, you may begin to wonder if they have a reading disorder, commonly known as dyslexia. There are a lot of misconceptions about dyslexia, including that every person with dyslexia struggles the same way. However, the reality is that there are many different types of dyslexia that are linked with different …
5 Things to Look for in a Learning Intervention Posted on October 13, 2023September 5, 2023 by Dargan Coggeshall Every child is unique, and so are their learning needs. When a child faces challenges in their academic journey, it’s essential to find the right learning intervention program to help them succeed. With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming for parents and educators to make the best choice. Here are five critical factors to …
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Questions to Ask to Identify the Root Cause of Your Child’s Struggles Posted on October 11, 2023September 11, 2023 by Sandra Zamalis Do you ever go into parent-teacher conferences and struggle to even know what questions to ask? Of course there are some obvious ones, but especially if your child is in the “average” group, it can be hard to get enough info from their teacher to really help you keep a pulse on how their learning …
Brain Training Research for Kids with Learning Disabilities Posted on October 6, 2023August 29, 2023 by Dargan Coggeshall Students with learning disabilities often receive labels. They are defined by what they struggle with, and many schools move them through the system without really digging deeper and answering the question: “Why?” As parents, it’s our job to make sure our kids are receiving the support they need in order to reach their fullest potential. …