What to do about my son's learning difficulties?

Question

My 9 year old son Cecil seems to be falling behind. This morning, over breakfast, I asked him what the central themes of King Lear were. He replied that 'he wasn't sure - is it filial ingratitude, father?'. How troubling.

Yesterday, when listing all the British Prime Ministers, he missed out David Lloyd George and William Pitt!

He provided a very inelegant solution to a mathematical problem I presented him, which demonstrated a naive approach to maths and only a basic understanding of algorhithms.

I am going to consult with his schoolmaster. Does anyone have any other advise about my challenged son?

Answer 1

Give him shredded wheat for breakfast that should help.

Answer 2

Indeed I do;  I would advise counseling.  Not for him, but in all seriousness, for you.  Unrealistic expectations can lead to different sorts of psychopathology.

I hope this is a joke of a question and not a serious inquiry.

Answer 3

Sir, at the risk of forgetting myself, might I suggest that the true reason for your son  giving less that satisfactory answers, is that the queries you pose are of insufficient difficulty.

Your son is merely humouring you for being so simplistic.  He must be punished for this impertinance.  Take him to your dungeon and introduce him to "The Duke of Exeter's Daughter".

Answer 4

You're kidding right?  My 9 year old might could tell you the central theme of Sponge Bob, not King Lear.

Answer 5

I'm suprised he didn't know about David Lloyd George, since he was the PM behind the creation of theNHS itself in post war Britain, and beside from Churchill the most memorable of Prime Ministers. Alternatively, the next time you think of a question involving Prime Ministers no-one would have heard of try Disreali, Gladstone and Asquith.

Answer 6

well for one some pl. have strong points that they are good in.and also something maybe be bothering him. is this something that just started? or has this been going on all along and u didnt see it.your son my have a leraning disablied.

sometimes as they get older and they cant seem to keep up with the class, it gets harder. if u think this is it , pl talk to the teacher, and get him help. some parents avoid it and let it go on and on until its out of control. or never get the kid help. pl. do something now while it can be controled. wish u luck and pl. dont be ashame of him if he isnt leraning like his classmates.some pl, just cant understand that some pl dont learn the way all pl. do and need a little help

Answer 7

Word has it at the mothers' union that his mother spoils him.  I just thought you should be told.

Answer 8

Poor sod!! I feel for your son.

Answer 9

My dear Marmalade,

I would not trouble yourself too much.

Some of my many offspring cant even grasp the rudiments of Ancient Babylonian !!!!!!

It would seem clear to me, that there are two options available to you.

Firstly, Cecil should be immediately transported to the Australisian colonies.

Secondly, I would suggest that your "almost" dearest has the aptitude to be first bat for the Hants cricket club. With any luck and the obligatory thrashing, he could get to play for England.

I seem to remember he swung the bat remarkably well at the age of 5, when he removed the Vicars genitallia, when Cecil was confronted by him as he started quaffing the Sacremental Wine. Oh the laughs we had.

Failing that just buy the school, imprison the teachers, on the understanding that they remark his work. If not then they might have trouble procreating again

Answer 10

Tusk, at this rate he'll never be Oxbridge material.

If it transpires that the school is to blame, for having the audacity to force him to mingle with dullards, which I fear will actually prove to be the case, then pull him out and have him home-educated.

He will only perform as well as he is taught- if the school is not teaching him then it is not his fault he can't do it.

Answer 11

Are you serious!

I'm 14 and couldn't even tell you the last 5 presidents of the United States of America.

Answer 12

you must monitor this situation closely. if it continues you must whip him!

(JOKING!!)

Answer 13

Beauvvy old fellow!  Sorry to hear the chip of the ol' block is thicker than planks, two short ones.  Just go with the traditional flow - the Thickkie of the family goes into the Church, or the Army.   Remember old Spoonie? his Mater was a colonel in the Womens' Royal Balooning Corps, and his father was the Arch-Bishop of Dunsfold.

Answer 14

its time for this boy to have a kit kat, maybe he would rather be a kid than learn,lol he is most likely like most 9 yr olds boys. more inclined to know about ben 10 and spiderman

Answer 15

i suggest you whip his school master.

Answer 16

He is 9 years old not 16 so cut him some slack, he won't have been taught all your asking. A private tutor might help

Answer 17

A 9 year old boy would not be expected to know that!?

Naming all those British Prime Ministers is impressive and just missong out 2? That is not challenged.

Honestly I think you should get an expert opinion from his School Master.

Answer 18

Maybe an idea would be to try swapping him for a differnet model who has a higher IQ.

Answer 19

one can tell the dashed impertinence of the lower classes, as shown in the answers old chap, it quite obvious that the poorer class of villager would not understand the social requirement for ones son to be educated in the proficiencies of general knowledge...my advice to you old bean is to thrash the blighter within an inch of his life..this way he will appreciate the finer things in life unlike the poorer classes ?

Answer 20

If you think your son has learning problem go to his school & talk to the psycology. Schools have test that measure if kids have learning problems & what kind of problem they have. If your son has any problem the school should provide IEP. So he can caugth his classmate...

Answer 21

Considering that you sired him on a 19 year old strumpet named "Bubbles" whose main talent lay in being a dancing (yet scantily clad) contortionist, I'm surprised that he knows the alphabet.

I always thought you should have married someone of your own class and felt it completely unfair that you said Lady Henwitt looked like a diseased rodent who had eaten too much choclate. Oh, sure, her dermalogist had trouble isolating the problems with her complextion and she was unfavorable afflicted with facial hair but she was highly intelligent, d**n it! A true lady and a scholar.

Now you're paying for your churlish behavior and shallow values with a moronic son. Well, sir, you brought this folly down on yourself!

Answer 22

I am 24 and have no idea who King Lear is, nor would I have a clue what an algorhithm is. This has not been an isue for me so far I am one of the happiest people i know! Please don't call your son challenged by the sounds of it the most chalenging thing in your sons life is you.

Answer 23

I think that his schoolmaster must be one of those modern misguided hippies that recently have appeared to take over the profession, nothing like the ones of my school days.  I think that if the buffoon that is teaching your child won't horsewhip some gumption and nous in to him then you should think about educating him at home.  I was staggered to learn that they accept girls in schools nowadays as my young niece is attending one!!  My young nephew is in pre-prep and at the age of four has not even the basics of Latin and ancient Greek.  The educational standards in this country are slipping awfully.

Answer 24

Has he been mixing with those damned hoodies again from the poor part of the village?

Answer 25

im sorry about your son. my brother is the same way. : (

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

lol. answer this!

Oh and to the person below me....thats pathetic!

Answer 26

Nothing a sound thrashing won't sort out! He has obviously been neglecting his studies in favour of the solitary vices. Check his palms for hairs!

Answer 27

As you are obviously financially secure.  Why worry about this perceived problem?  At nine years old he always is going to appear a bit of a dimwit.  You have of course  enrolled him for Eton.   In a few years time he will have the intellect of his father and who knows, may go on to become a great tennis player!  Involve the lad in your Dalliances. They love a bit of downhill bathtub racing.   Introduce him gently to the G and T.

No more that 1 bottle per day.   He will grow into a fine man who you will be proud of.   A chip off the old block.

Answer 28

Put milk on his cornflakes instead of champagne.

Answer 29

I think you are his biggest challenge. I don't know if you are kidding or what, but your questions seem to be those of a really boring individual. Who gives a rip? My advice is that you start to act like a father and not a professor. Geees!

Answer 30

He has probably been corrupted by Laudanum and gin.

lisa_b : whippping is very wrong. But if you feel like a go come on over.

Answer 31

Do you mean advice old chap?