Welcome to the February 2014 edition of the Learning Brain.

In my work with children with learning difficulties, I am continually reminded how important it is to help them build a positive self image.

Children who feel good about themselves are more able to persevere on difficult tasks and recover from setbacks.This month’s newsletter includes a useful download with tips to help you promote resilience and perseverance in your children and students. And the Book of the Month, “Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back” explains how to we can learn, and teach the habits of mind that support resilience.

Warm regards,

Living and Growing with Auditory Processing Disorder
A practical guide for parents and teachers

Do you have a child or student who suffers from Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?  Do you struggle yourself? For a limited time you can take this new short online course I created at no charge

Learn the difference between hearing problems and APD.  Plus how to identify the symptoms, as well as some treatment options at home and in school.

Take this FREE course today.

Does Reading Actually Change the Brain?

Have you ever enjoyed reading a novel so much that you felt you were actually living the thoughts, emotions and experiences of the characters?  New research using brain scans shows that powerful novels can make a lasting impact on your brain – in the form of neural changes that persist for some time.

Read more.

Early Hearing Speed Gives Insight to Later Reading and Spelling Difficulties

How fast young children can hear effects their reading and spelling ability when they go to school, according to research published in December. Their auditory processing speed may be more important for reading and spelling than their intelligence, working memory and attention.

Read more.

10 Tips for Promoting Strength, Resilience and Perserverance

Read 10 top resilience building techniques to prepare your child or your students for success – in the classroom and in life.

Download here.

Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back

Why is it that some individuals, institutions, systems, and cultures tend to bounce back from disruptive change better than others? The answer, explains Andrew Zolli and Ann Marie Healy in their important new book on the topic, is resiliency. The good news is that everyone can learn the habits of the mind to better prepare for unanticipated change and become more prosperous, safe, and happy in the process.

Read more.

Popplet

Mind mapping is a visual strategy that’s been used for decades in education. It is a diagram that visually represents concepts or ideas. Mind maps can be especially helpful for students with learning disabilities who find mind maps especially helpful with: brainstorming, note-taking, expression of ideas, recall, concept development, understanding relationships, organisation for the writing process, and problem-solving.  We recommend  Popplet, a fun, simple to use and motivating app for students of all ages (its good for adults too!).

The end of January marks the beginning of the new school year for both students and teachers.  This can be an exciting time for some and a stressful time for others. Below are links to some valuble tips that will help make the next few weeks a little easier.For Parents and Students

• Starting school for the first time
• Preparing your child for the new school year
• 12 tips for a better school year – for parents
• Tips for making friends when starting at a new school
• Getting along with your teachers

For Teachers

• Four simple tips to start the year strong – Edutopia
• Starting the new school year: getting off on the right foot – Education World
• Back to school for teachers – About.com Teaching

Do you have questions about your child or students? Email us

Question:  My middle child has learning difficulties compared to his 2 highly achieving siblings.  He always says he’s dumb.  How can I help him feel better?

Answer:   It is always a challenge to parent children of very differing abilities.  Some children cope better than others with their differences.  It is actually more important to praise effort than outcome.  Let your learning difficulties child try lots of activities to help establish things that he/she is good at, be it sport, music, art, dance, cooking or the like.  It is very important for these children to have a skill that they excel in to help develop their self esteem.