Blog
One of the 40%
About 60% of the kids out there have a relatively easy ride. Their school journey is on a flat plain. Reading isn’t a big deal. Skills layer on top of skills. Then there’s young George, age five a kindergarten child who is one of the 40%. George is a five-year-old...
Part II on “The Don’t Give & You Get Street”
Last week we talked about the kids who are on the street called, “You Don’t Give & You Get Street (see, The Don't Give & You Get Street).” This is a street where kids play endless video games, see their phone as God-given right, and basically are blowing you...
The “Don’t Give & You Get Street”
Are you out there in that land called Homework Non-Compliance Land? Do you find yourself over-worrying while your child has a very different approach to his responsibilities like homework? There are some tell-tale signs (all told to me recently): Maybe you are...
8 Year Old Stress: Worksheets, Quizzes and Tests, Oh My!
"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore." I try and find my weekly inspiration from my interactions as they happen from parents and kids. This week’s comes from an eight year old third grader, Jonah, who told me he was not a big fan of school. In fact, he was clear in...
Busting Mythologies – #Dyslexia
There is a mythology out there that is very hard to overcome. The mythology typically originates from the school after a parent has queried the school about getting assessed for dyslexia. A parent whose child I worked with recently, was told the following: “Dyslexia....
Draining the Car Battery – #ADHD
When it comes to kid issues, too often I hear simplistic answers to issues that can be very complex. My favorite answer to almost everything is, “My kid has ADD.” Listen up everyone. With determining ADD/ADHD it’s not like a dental X-Ray, where there is objective...
My “Decoding Hurdle” Obsession
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “He’s like a dog with a bone.” You know, it’ referring to that person who won’t let up or who keeps beating the same drum over and over. Sometimes I feel that way. I won’t say how long I’ve been beating the “decoding hurdle”...
Reading Comprehension in the “Way Back Machine”
Let’s go once again into the “Way Back Machine.” This time we will go to the mid 1980’s. What was the red hot topic in the field of reading and cognitive psychology? I will give you a hint. It wasn’t decoding or reading fluency. The topic of the decade, the one...
Matthew Effects are Powerful – Act Early
Matthew Effects Are Powerful-Act Early A number of years ago a very powerful piece of research emerged in the field of psychology and education. This research, by Dr. Keith Stanovich ultimately became known as the “Matthew Effects.” The Rich Get Richer A...
The Grind of School
Let’s be honest, school can be a bit of a grind. This is especially so if you are the kind of kid who struggles with reading, spelling and writing. For those who do not have learning problems, school also can be a grind, as well, but they have a much easier...