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The following article contains content from the Schwab Foundation for Learning, a non-profit organization serving parents and
educators of children with learning differences, also known as learning disabilities (LD).
It's time to start thinking about the coming school year and for parents to consider how they can help their LD child make a smooth transition - from a relaxing summer schedule to school, attending a new school, or any sort of change that their child will encounter at school in the fall. Transitions can be difficult. What can parents do to help their child adjust to various academic changes? Dr. Pamela G. Krell, a clinical neuropsychologist, offers these responses to some typical transitions that children experience: Changing from relaxing summer schedule to school schedule Talk about upcoming changes in advance. Use visual aids--e.g., a calendar to mark off days together. Help your child anticipate school's beginning by discussing what daily schedule changes may be experienced and the emotional impact of these changes. Attending a new school Visit the new school in advance, if possible. Make contact with another family in your child's class. Invite that child over to visit or plan an outing with a family already in the school. Talk to your child about the similarities and differences between the two schools. Change of schedule Example: was attending school half-days, now going full-time (kindergarten to elementary). You should anticipate initial fatigue. Your child will probably need a quiet time upon returning home from school. It is wise not to plan additional after school activities during the first couple of weeks. Example: change from having one teacher to multiple teachers (elementary to middle school). Kids often find this confusing and children with organizational difficulties especially so. Getting lost, forgetting schedules, and being disoriented are common problems. Remember that this is a big adjustment for kids. Help your child get organized by talking about her school schedule; make copies and post one in the kitchen, her bedroom, her notebook, etc. Help the child orient by using easy-to-remember time cues such as "before lunch" or "after gym." Change of responsibility Example: being given more freedom and responsibility in an academic environment(middle to high school). Adolescents vary in their capacity to handle the increased freedom of high school. Be aware of your child's tolerance level and help provide appropriate structure: set limits. It is helpful for teens to understand what the rules are and why they are being made. Get input from your teen. Example: was receiving help at home, now working with a tutor. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Transitions From Summer To School: Ideas For Parents in Special Needs Issues is owned by Keenan Wellar. Permission to republish Transitions From Summer To School: Ideas For Parents in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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