Anxiety over a child’s school-based problems can start very early.
After reading The Shut-Down Learner, a mom contacted me. “My son’s drowning in in school. Do you think he could be a shut-down learner,” she asked.
After asking a few more questions, I was struck by the fact that the child in question was only six in the beginning of first grade.
When I wrote the Shut-Down Learner I was largely envisioning a disconnected, shut-down adolescent.
However, as I gave more talks to parents, so many of the concerns raised involved young children, typically ages 5 – 9.
To help explain things to parents I created a formula:
Early Cracks in the Foundation + Time + Lack of Understanding + Widening cracks = Shut Down Learner
So, while the child of concern may only be in beginning first grade there are cracks that can be identified. Time goes by quickly and with a lack of understanding how to address them, they widen and the child becomes increasingly discouraged (i.e., shut-down).
Takeaway Point
Don’t wait for the school’s blessings or the doctor’s diagnosis. Trust your parent gut. If you think there is something wrong, 99.9% of the time there is.
There’s no gain in waiting. Do what you can to fill the cracks (e.g., tutoring, home activities targeting skills, etc.).