Top 5 Warning Signs of Learning Struggles
As a parent or teacher, it can be difficult to know if a child is struggling with learning. Sometimes the signs are subtle, and it can be easy to dismiss them as just a bad day or a lack of motivation. However, if you notice any of the following warning signs of learning struggles, it’s important to take action and get your child the help they need.
Kids With Learning Struggles Often Are:
Easily Distracted, Disengaged, or Disruptive
If a child is struggling to focus, they may be easily distracted, disengaged, or disruptive. They may have trouble paying attention in class or staying on task during homework time. They may fidget or squirm in their seat or constantly interrupt the teacher or other students.
Building attention skills is critical because this skill is the gateway of all other learning. If you’re not engaged and focused, no new knowledge will be efficiently stored in the brain.
Hesitant to Read Out Loud or Answer in Front of the Class
If a child is struggling with reading or other academic skills, they may be hesitant to participate in class. They may avoid reading out loud or answering questions, even if they know the answers. They may also struggle with social anxiety and avoid participating in group activities.
Needing Constant Direction and Support
If a child is dealing with learning struggles, they may have trouble following instructions or remembering what they’ve learned. They may also need extra help with homework or studying, and may struggle to complete assignments independently.
The ability to approach a task and complete it from start-to-finish requires executive skills like planning, strategy, self-regulation, and problem-solving. Many kids struggle with these core learning skills, which means they require hand-holding, reminders, and directions to be repeated multiple times.
Falling Behind or Making Slow Progress
If a child is struggling with learning, they may fall behind their peers or make slow progress. They may have trouble keeping up with the curriculum and may need extra help to catch up. They may also struggle to retain information and may forget what they’ve learned.
Frequently Finishing Tests or Assignments Last and Needing Extra Time
For many kids, learning struggles look like taking longer to complete tests or assignments than their peers. They may frequently finish last and may need extra time to complete their work. They may also make careless mistakes or struggle with test-taking strategies because they feel rushed or pressured to finish earlier.
Processing speed is another gateway skill that impacts all other learning abilities. If the brain is not processing quickly or thinking fast enough to keep up, attention, memory, logic, and all other areas of processing are going to lag as well.
Brain Training Addresses Learning Struggles from the Root Cause
If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s important to take action and get your child the help they need. One effective approach to addressing learning struggles is through brain training. Brain training addresses the root cause of learning struggles by strengthening the underlying cognitive skills that support learning.
Through brain training, children can improve their attention, memory, processing speed, and other cognitive skills that are essential for learning. They can also develop strategies for overcoming learning challenges to improve their overall academic performance.
If you notice any of the warning signs of learning struggles, don’t ignore them. Get your child the help they need to grow their ability to think, learn and remember. With the right support, your child can overcome their learning struggles and reach their full potential. We’d love to partner with you to make this happen! Contact us today to learn more about what makes our approach so unique.