10 Do's & Don't's for a Successful Start to Kindergarten
My "big girl" is starting school next week. We have gone to her school and met some of the teachers, the principal, and done a little tour. Despite being told multiple times we were just there to finalize paperwork, she insisted on packing her backpack, bringing a snack, and was disappointed when we left her school after a half hour. While my sweet, eager little girl is only attending preschool for the first time, it got me thinking of how actual school isn't that far off. He
ADHD Secrets my Teacher should Know
Dear Teacher, as we prepare for another day of school together, can we pause for a moment? We have gone through my checklist, gathering everything I need for the day's subjects. But did we go through your checklist? Both of us need to feel successful. Since you have helped me understand how you want me to prepare for school, here is my checklist for you. StartFragment > DO YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION? It is hard to tell by looking at me sometimes, becuase I don't always make eye c
Handling those Back-to-School Meltdowns
A few years ago, a small miracle in learning occurred in the home of a single mom whose third grader melted down about his homework. Karen had taken Jamal to the dentist. He'd missed two hours of school, and didn't know his homework assignment. Learning was a daily struggle for him. When he realized that he couldn't reach his teacher, he exploded, upset about falling behind once again. He cried long and hard. His mom stayed with him. At the lowest point, he stormed from room
Why I Chose Summer Camp
Around my wrist hangs a clear pink plastic bracelet. It holds a mix of glitter and tap water, a simple and unremarkable combination that, typically, would never have been something that I would remember or treasure. This bracelet, however, is different. It was given to me by a friend of mine, a friend with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a friend whose shirt is usually on backwards or inside out, a friend with a contagious laugh, a mischievous smile and a tendency to
How to Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem: ADHD Parenting Advice
Many kids with ADHD and learning disabilities also struggle with poor self-esteem. Here's how parents can help. When children feel good about themselves, everything goes a little easier for them and their parents. But poor self-esteem is a big problem for ADHD children--and an even bigger problem for the 50 percent or so of ADHD children who also have learning difficulties. To feel good about themselves, children need two things: the sense that they're successful, both social
"I'm Too Upset to Learn" - Handling Difficult Emotions at School
Sometimes, our children will be faced with difficult emotions at school -- and be unsure of how to handle them. Teaching them these techniques can help them feel in control. One evening, several months ago, my 10-year-old son, Mark, was getting upset over simple things. After the second meltdown, I knew something was up. We went for a short walk and had a talk. "Tell me what's really going on." "I spilled my drink!" "I know that's upsetting. But you're having a '10-mile react
Study Looks to Tap Strengths of ADHD Students
People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), some studies suggest, are more creative and more willing to take risks. Those traits are exactly what the field of engineering needs, say a team of researchers, but the traditional model of teaching is driving away potential pioneers in the field. With funding from the Research in Engineering Education, a program of the National Science Foundation (NSF), they're embarking on a study designed to find a better way to
Success at School is Possible, Even if Your Child has ADHD
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can achieve success in school when they get the accommodations they're entitled to. ADHD affects about 11 percent of American children. Often, one of the biggest struggles for ADHD kids and their parents is achieving a successful school experience. Symptoms of ADHD frequently look like a lack of effort, lack of motivation, or simply not caring about doing well in the classroom. When a student with ADHD is misunders