Learning problems with my 6 year old?

Question

i am having problems with my 6 year old he is having trouble learning at school he's in year one and may need to be kept down next year he also refuses to go to school and is very stubborn. He has trouble remembering things like letters and sounds and doesn't know his numbers. Is there a web site that someone might know that i can look up on ways to help him with this problem. i have tried all avenues and can't seem to find anything. I hope someone can help me i'm at my wits ends.

Answer 1

It's possible he may have eye-sight problems or dyslexia-type troubles. Maybe get his eyes tested, apparently there are even special glasses to help with dyslexia. And I have heard that music sometimes helps them remember their letters. My sister has a cd that teaches the alphabet and phonics to music. Can you ask for help at the school, surely they must know of some ways to help you and your boy, it's meant to be their job!

My friend had a lot of trouble getting her little bloke to go to school, too, until they moved to a smaller school. There is only one teacher for a large number of mixed grades, so the teacher simply didn't have time for him to be stubborn about him doing his work and got tough on him. Apparently it was all he needed, a bit of tough love, because his previous teacher was very soft and sweet.

Good luck, I hope it gets easier for you.

Answer 2

Put in a written request with your child's teacher and principal to have your child tested for learning disabilities. Legally, they have to comply with your request for testing even if they do not believe that he has a problem. It may vary state by state but I believe they have to provide the testing within 6 weeks.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Check medical reasons (ears and eyes).

Birthdate (being young) might be a factor.

Research does not necessarily support retention, but retention for students who may be young, immature, lack of school attendance, etc. are factors to consider.  Research does suggest retention in K or 1st grade will benefit children more than upper grades.

It is hard to diagnose a learning disability in a young child since they have a limited amount of required knowledge and there may not be a gap betwenn performance and achievement.

School may be difficult and frustrating for him, therefore, his refusal to attend.

Answer 4

Without being in the classroom with him, it can be very difficult to try to help. Also, knowing what it's like for teachers these days, it can be very overwhelming trying to pinpoint problems. Have you asked if there's someone that the teacher could bring in to shadow him for a day or two? Usually schools will have someone on staff that can come into a classroom and watch what's happening with a specific child. There are assessments that they can use to help pinpoint some types of learning disabilities, etc. By the age of 6, he should know his letters very well. Sounds can still be a challenge with some though. Numbers should also be well-known. The other person I would talk to would be your son's pediatrician. They can be an invaluable aid to helping diagnose problems. The only other advice I can think to offer is make sure that you're working on it in a helpful way at home. Point out letters all around you (signs you see, titles of books, letters on posters and billboards). Ask him to tell you what the letters are. Sometimes children just need a little extra work to get it.

As to the refusing to go to school, is it just from the frustration, or is there something else making him not want to go (such as a bully, feeling picked on by the teacher, etc...)

Hope it helps!

Answer 5

He is really to you to be tested for anything ADD or a learning disability. I have a six year old who is struggling in school and I wish they would hold him back. Hold him back and go from there.

Answer 6

A web site is NOT your answer - have his eyes and ears checked by professionals (not the pediatrician or general doc!) Then, if those are normal, talk to the counselor at his school to get to the bottom of his troubles.  Go from there...good luck!

Answer 7

Have the teachers at his school tested him for a learning disability?  I think you need to have that done first because if he does, and it's diagnosed early, it will help him succeed further in school, rather than getting him further behind.

Answer 8

Have you had him tested for dyslexia?  It's more common in boys.  If he is unable to concentrate i.e., talking too much, moving around, unable to sit still, then have him tested for ADHD.  There is counseling, medication should be discussed with your child's physician.  

You also have to consider his stress factor if any, change in family status, or environment have an impact on him mentally and emotionally.

Patience, sometimes a tutor is more patient than a parent, when it comes to homework. Ask if mentors/tutors are available at his school.  

Ask him why is he uncomfortable going to his school, does he have friends?  Try volunteering time in his class to observe his behavior or how he is treated by his peers.

If he has a learning disability, his school counselor should be able to provide you with agencies or information.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I hope I can help I am having the same problem. I was repeatedly being called in for my son not doing his work and disrupting the class. One teacher mentioned ADHD, I laughed it off because there was no problem with his behaviour at home and just thought that maybe he needed some time settleing down into his new class with his new teacher. But then he changed dramatically at home even putting him to bed, which had been so easy turned into a two hour battle. So after talking to his deputy head and a friend of mine who has a child with ADHD I contacted DORE, a clinic that offers diagnosis and non medicated treatment for kids with learning and hyperactivity disorders. Unfortunately you first have to get your child assessed by a specialist through your GP. My son Michael has been referred but my peadiatrician thinks he has Aspergers Autism, which apparently starts in boys when they are about six or seven. ADHD usually affects there behaviour and learning, but if he has all of a sudden taken a drop in his school work and his behaviour at home has changed then it might be an idea to get him seen by your GP, it can be a long wait but it is worth it. At least then the kids dont fall through the cracks, they get the help they need, because I have found that the school was very reluctant to do anything. DORE is an amasing idea but it does cost. Maybe he has a disorder or maybe he is going through a difficult patch but it doesnt hurt to find out. Goodluck!!!!!