Different Learning Abilities of Children
Why does my child have difficulties keeping up at school?
Why does my child have difficulties expressing feelings?
Why does my child have no friends?
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Parents may be asking themselves similar questions about their children. Teachers may wonder why their students’ are not
progressing in their academic areas and question what else they can do to help them succeed. It is very important for
parents and teachers to get involved in their children’s learning abilities.
Children have different strengths and weaknesses in their learning abilities. This is why one child may walk at an early age
but may be late in talking and why another child may find playing on their own easier than making friends. Yet another child
may find looking at pictures of a story easier to understand than having to read that same story. In any case, children need
positive reinforcement in homes and schools for the development of their individual learning abilities. Sometimes children
need extra help to reach their goals.
If this is the case, proper assessment and intervention is required to improve the skills of your child. The assessment will be
conducted by a school psychologist and include information from parents, teachers and other professionals working with
the child, as well as sessions with the child. This procedure is selected in order to understand the child's individual strengths
and weaknesses in their learning abilities.
Once the assessment is conducted, interventions will be created in a team effort by the school psychologist and other
professionals working with the child. The goal is to provide the best possible interventions to the parents and teachers for
the support of the child.
For instance, a child with autism usually has difficulties making friends but may enjoy painting alone. The child can then be
involved in a play group, which is a session that is formed in a team effort by professionals working with the child and
conducted by the school psychologist. The play group involves a small group of children with different learning styles and it
allows them to develop their social skills in a safe environment. In other words, they learn to interact and express their
feelings in an appropriate way. In the case of the child mentioned above, play groups can begin with interaction with more
social peers by painting together. Therefore, the child learns social skills but in the same time enjoying the process of
activities.
Remember! The earlier the child is allowed to learn in an environment where there is respect for their individual needs, the
better outcome the child will have in the area of development. Our goal is to build individual strengths sufficiently while
providing broad experience to other areas of knowledge. Please contact us further if there are questions regarding
assessment and support for children and their families.
Vivian Demetriou, B.Sc., M.A., Ed.S., NCSP (Registered School Psychologist)