Decoding Learning Differences with Kimberlynn Lavelle

Optimizing Your Child’s Education Through Getting to Know Your Kid: Diet- Interview with Wendy Schofer, MD

Several years ago, I had a student, “Jake” with ADHD and anger/aggression problems.

We tried various things to help him and all did some good, but the thing I most wanted to change for him, I had zero control over.

Jake would come to school every day with snacks that contained at or near zero nutrition. But plenty of sugar and calories. One day it was an entire sleeve of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. Another day it was a massive bag of “Takis”. Other days he would actually only have money to buy a snack from the cafeteria, but he would spend $5 on $0.25 cookies. Yes, they actually let him buy 20 cookies! And he ate them all at snack time.

In case you were wondering, he was not even slightly overweight. He played hard as soon as he was done with his snack and seemed to have a naturally thin body type. However, I always wondered if some of his behavioral challenges would be alleviated if he had a healthier diet.

In this week’s podcast episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Wendy Schofer- a pediatrician who specializes in coaching families on improving the diets of their families. She’ll share something that surprised me a bit, and yet is completely in line with this entire series.

I would love to hear what diet changes you are considering or what is already working for your family!

Read the Transcript and Get on the list to be in the know at www.YourParentHelp.com/podcast_0128

Optimizing Your Child’s Education Through Getting to Know Your Kid: Environmental Considerations

Have you ever tried to study with the television on?

Believe it or not: some people study BETTER with something like the television on in the background!

Many do well with music playing in the background. And some of us do best with silence.

A kid will thrive in some environments, and become filled with anxiety and stress in others. All because of the sound, sights, lighting, seating, and even smells!

In this week’s podcast, we’re digging into environmental considerations!

Who selected where your child is expected to do whatever constitutes “schoolwork” in your house? How is that working? I am not judging AT ALL!

So many of us think about what will work best for us, and not what will work best for our children. 

But our children are unique and different from us.

Some kids will do really well at the kitchen table with a lot of bustle all around them. Others will need a silent space away from everyone. Some kids will do best sitting upright at a formal desk. Others will do best laying on the floor, papers spread all over (that would actually be me much of the time!). Some will do best indoors, and some outdoors.

Even the scents in the environment can have an impact on how they are learning! Essential Oils diffused in the air can be beneficial for some kids, but different kids will respond differently to different oils.

The amount of lighting and the type of lighting that is provided can have an impact, especially on those with some kind of visual processing disorder or light-sensitivity.

Another big aspect of considering the environment is considering how things are organized. We could spend a whole lot longer talking about all of the intricacies of organizational considerations!

Watch, Read, or Listen to this week’s podcast! Then, stop and take a moment to consider each of these. Which do you need to spend some more time considering and evaluating? Sound Smells Lighting Movement Seating Organization Read the Transcript and join the email list at www.YourParentHelp.com/podcast_0127

Optimizing Your Child's Education Through Getting to Know Your Kid: Strengths

What are your strengths? How many of your kid’s strengths can you name?

This week’s podcast is all about using your kid’s strengths to optimize their education.

Often, when we push a child to do something that they are struggling with, they’ll struggle more.

When we encourage them to do what they’re already good at, we can help them access that with which they are struggling.

Your turn to put this into action!

Take some time to reflect right now: What is your child really good at? (even if you often see it in a negative light; ie: “he talks too much”; “he’s always making a big mess out of Lego”) What is your child always doing? How do they choose to spend their time? Write down all of the strengths that you can think of. Pick one or two and consider: how can I help encourage these to grow? How can I get out of the way of their growth? This is one of those strategies that is beautiful immediately, but can take a long time to pay off. It’s so worth it though! It’s worth the relationship you are building. It’s worth the brain power and self-confidence you are boosting.

Read full transcript and join the awesomeness at: www.YourParentHelp.com/podcast_0126

Optimizing Your Child’s Education Through Getting to Know Your Kid: Interests

When we are interested in something, we do SO much better on it than when we aren’t.

What interests your child?

This week, don’t just notice and reflect, ask your child.

“What interests you?”

“What makes you curious?”

“What have you been wondering about lately?”

I always start my school year off with asking kids some of these questions. I want to see what topics I should use to drive my instruction.

Following their interests always creates an atmosphere of intrigue and learning. I can’t wait to hear what this has sparked in you!

 

read the transcripts: www.YourParentHelp.com/podcast_0125

Optimizing Your Child's Education Through Getting to Know Your Kid: Why it Matters

This episode will introduce our new series all about "Optimizing" your child's education, particularly for those who are homeschooled.

 

See the Transcripts and sign up for the helpful weekly emails and special promotions at: www.YourParentHelp.com/podcast_0124

Lessons from the Lionheart Mama- Interview with Courtenay Kasper

Listen in to this special interview with Lionheart Mama, Courtenay Kasper.

She shared her story of choosing to homeschool her 4 children.  They’ve also done public school.  She talks about how she has constantly needed to evaluate what is working and what isn’t for each child.

 

She’s always individualizing their education and meeting their unique needs.

 

video of the interview available at: https://www.yourparenthelp.com/podcast_0123

Learning Should be FUN! part 3- Mathematics

Learning should be FUN!  But Math can feel so abstract and confusing to so many.  These tips will help to make math more fun and natural in your home!

 

Grab the notes (instant download pdf), watch the video, and read the transcript at: https://www.yourparenthelp.com/podcast_0122

 

Get the guide: How to Use Chores to Teach Math https://www.yourparenthelp.com/choreguide

Learning Should be FUN! part 2- Writing

Learning should be FUN!  But Writing can feel so daunting for many kids.  These 8 tips will help to make writing more fun in your household!!

 

Grab the instant download notes, watch the video, and read the transcript at: https://www.yourparenthelp.com/podcast_0121

 

Click here for the Episode on Graphic Organizers : https://www.yourparenthelp.com/graphic-organizers

Learning Should be FUN! part 1- Reading

Learning is most effective when it is relaxed, enjoyable, intriguing, interesting!  In this episode, you'll learn 5 tips to make Reading fun!

 

Grab the notes (instant download), watch the video, and read the transcript at: https://www.yourparenthelp.com/podcast_0120

Max: A Story of an Individualized Education

Every child is unique and deserves an education uniquely suited to them.  Max was an amazingly gifted child with severe dyslexia.  He also had ADHD and frustrations had led to some minor behavior problems.  He needed an education unlike anyone else.

 

video and transcript available at: https://www.yourparenthelp.com/podcast_0119