Dear Teacher: Real Advice from Real Educators

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Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com QUESTION: My little boy is bright, but he is not doing at all well in school. Something is just not working for him. I hear about learning disabilities. Is it possible that he has one? Exactly what are learning disabilities, and where can I learn more about them? - Possible Learning Problem ANSWER: Learning disabilities are neurobiological differences in brain structure and/or function. These differences lead to problems with learning. New brain scanning techniques have enabled scientists to understand the underlying neural basis of learning disabilities. Children with learning disabilities are often just as intelligent or more intelligent than other children but have difficulty learning because their minds process words or information differently.

Your son may or may not have a learning disability. Nevertheless, parents are often the first to notice the problems their children are having learning. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development lists these eight signs that a child may have a learning disability.

• Difficulty with reading and/or writing

• Problems with math skills • Difficulty remembering • Problems paying attention • Trouble following directions • Poor coordination • Difficulty with concepts related to time

• Problems staying organized1 You will get a very solid start to having reliable information about learning disabilities by visiting the website of the Learning Disabilities Association of America (ldaamerica.org). Not only can you learn there about the 13 categories of disabilities under the law, but you can also find out the signs and symptoms of each one as well as strategies that can be used to help children. In addition, this website lets you ask questions of experts and provides support as well as resources for parents of children with learning disabilities.

Unfortunately, we must caution you that it is not always easy for parents of children with learning disabilities to get the help their children need and are entitled to receive without being very knowledgeable, proactive, and determined as schools often drag their heels in providing this help.

Early diagnosis of a child’s learning disability and timely intervention by parents, teachers, or doctors can significantly improve the child’s self-esteem, academic achievement, and ability to

form and maintain relationships. QUESTION: I think children in elementary and middle school are spending way too much time on homework. How much time should they be spending? Are there any shortcuts that they could use to lessen their time on homework? - Too Much Time ANSWER: How much time children should spend on homework is fairly well-established. Starting in first grade, they should spend about 10 minutes a night. Then for each successive grade, add another 10 minutes. Using this formula, a fifth grader should have approximately 50 minutes of homework, and a sixth grader an hour.

How much homework children actually have depends on their individual teachers. Plus, many children have several teachers in middle school, so their homework load might be light or heavy. When middle schools have a homework policy, children are likely to have to spend the same amount of time on homework most nights.

In elementary school and some classes in middle school, students often begin their homework assignments in class so teachers can be sure they understand what they need to do. If children use this time wisely, their homework time will be reduced.

If you think that your children are spending way too much time on homework, talk to their teachers. They may have suggestions about ways this time can be reduced. There is also the possibility that a teacher does not realize how lengthy his or her assignments are.

A homework contract definitely helps many students handle this task in an efficient way. You can download one from our Dear Teacher website. Here are some helpful tips to help children to learn to tackle their homework in a shorter time:

• Teach them how to organize and tackle their homework. • Make sure they understand the assignment before they begin. • Make sure their homework spot has all the materials they will need.

PARENTS: Your children are slightly more than halfway through the school year. Take the time now to evaluate exactly how they are doing. If they are having problems in any of their classes, there is still plenty of time to turn things around. Begin by talking to their teachers. Find out exactly what help is needed to get them back on track and where it will be available -- school, tutoring, learning center.

QUESTION: I know that the second semester brings many standardized tests. How can I help my kids stay calm and focused? Do I need to do anything to help them prepare for these tests? - Want to be Ready ANSWER: First of all, you don’t want to stress your children out about standardized tests. You can help them avoid being tense by having them recall past academic successes so they will feel confident going into the tests.

You don’t really need to do anything to help them prepare for these tests. This is their teachers’ job.