Are you looking for a way to make a positive impact and give back this season? Spread some holiday cheer to the kids and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® by participating in their third annual St. Jude Joy Drive.
Since it opened on Feb. 4, 1962, St. Jude has helped countless families. So much so, that treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% when they first opened their doors to more than 80% today.
To further its lifesaving mission, St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes freely, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. With assistance from generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
While St. Jude has made great strides, there is still more to be done to find a cure for childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases—and that’s where you come in! Read on to learn more about how to spread holiday cheer for a good cause (and have fun while doing it)!
Spread some holiday cheer to the kids and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by participating in their third annual St. Jude Joy Drive. Visit their site to learn more and participate.
St. Jude patient Connor, who is diagnosed with medulloblastoma, pictured with his mother Brooke and father Christopher.
Throughout December, St. Jude is hosting the St. Jude Joy Drive—a social media-driven campaign that highlights St. Jude supporters through heartwarming and inspirational storytelling of why they continue to give to St. Jude.
To join them, share what brings you joy over the holidays on your social media account. To participate, simply post a video about what makes you light up during the festive season and why you donate and support St. Jude. Be sure to tag @stjudela, who will share it on their social media during the month of December. You can include your favorite traditions, activities, things to eat and drink, or a favorite memory.
Invite your friends, family and followers to share what they love about the holidays, and to give a suggested donation of $10, or whatever they can donate to St. Jude.
Spreading joy is an easy way to bring some holiday magic to families and children who are spending their holidays at the hospital. Help share the joy of the holidays from your heart with the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by participating in the St. Jude Joy Drive and make a lasting difference!
It’s never too early (or too late) to talk to your kids about racism, diversity and equality. If you’re having a hard time finding the right way to approach the topic, let literature lend a helping hand. From autobiographical picture books to powerful first-person fiction, we’ve carefully curated some of our favorite books that’ll spark conversations about everything from the immigrant experience to Black History to give kids (and parents) perspective. Keep reading and start listening.
Black Girls Unbossed
The famous activists we know today started their journeys when they were young––just like the Black girls highlighted in this new book by Khristy Lauren Adams. These young world changers are starting organizations to help those in need, leading racial advocacy efforts, creating apps to aid in mental health issues and so much more, all born out of their own life experiences.
From activist, professor and father Ibram X. Kendi, this lovely picture book will help you and your kids learn about cultivating a more equitable world by following nine simple steps. We love this new and powerful read; it is filled with thoughtful rhymes and beautiful, bold illustrations.
Little Feminist's 3-board-books geared toward early readers (like babies!) all feature photos of REAL families with poems to build vocabulary & connection. The three books include HAIR which showcases race and ethnicity; FAMILIES which includes families in all their variations and showcases gender and sexuality; and ON-THE-GO which includes many forms of abilities, mobility and bodies
This little book packs a big punch! Featuring forty trailblazing women in African-American history, each entry is accompanied by a beautiful illustration. From pilot Bessie Coleman to crooner Nina Simone to poets, inventors, athletes and more, this book will inspire children of any gender to be bold, beautiful and make history.
Recommended age: 3 & up, but we think you should read it to your baby.
Told with the flow of a Native American narrative, this book tells the tale of those who were usurped, who watched their lands be stripped away and witnessed the enslavement of their people. But, they remembered, found solidarity with other oppressed people and despite all, persisted.
Sesame Street has been teaching kids that diversity is beautiful for over 50 years, so it'll come as no surprise that your favorite muppets star in this great book about racism for kids. Elmo and his friends show us that even though we might look different on the outside, on the inside we all have the same needs, feelings and desires.
Follow two families, one white, one black as they each discuss the shooting of a Black man by the police in their town. It touches on subjects like violence, social injustice, racial profiling and entitlement. The lovely illustrations and positive messaging tackle the tough subject matter in just the right way.
Sometimes the easiest way to get your point across is to just SAY IT. That's what this book by father, thinker and entrepreneur Jelani Memory. With simple text, bold images that explain what racism is, how it makes people feel and how to spot it when it happens, this must-have book lays it all out so that even young kids can start to listen and learn.
Brad Meltzer’s latest release in his Ordinary People Change the World series, we learn the story of Harriet Tubman and her bravery as she fought to abolish slavery. She helped hundreds of African Americans escape slavery and find freedom through the Underground Railroad. This is one book that will inspire your kids to become heroes themselves.
Imagine walking into a room and seeing no one like you? Whether your skin is different, you walk differently, you talk differently, you wear different clothes, there are many reasons to feel different. This lovely rhyming story is all about being inclusive, and it encourages kids to be comfortable in their own skin and savor what is unique about them.
Like the “I Am” series, the Little People, Big Dreams series explores amazing men and women of history, from artists to scientists to activists, teaching kids that one person can make a difference. This book covers the inspiring Maya Angelou’s journey, from a traumatic childhood to one of the world’s best-loved authors. If you thought you knew who Maya Angelou is, you are in for a treat: this book will leave you even more in awe than you already were. Written by Lisbeth Kaiser and illustrated by Leire Salaberria.
When debut author Angela Joy set out to teach her children their first Black History lesson she was not expecting her preschooler to say, "But Mama, we're not black, we're brown." It was then that she realized that she wanted her children, and all children, to understand that being Black was about culture as much as color. Vibrant, stained-glass like artwork by Coretta-Scott King Award-winning illustrator Ekua Holmes accompanies Joy's poetic text as we join a little girl on a journey to discover all the wonderful things that Black is. Includes a suggested playlist as well as an expanded explanation of the historical references in the text to allow parents to explain Black history to their kids. It's an exceptionally designed, written and thoughtful new book appropriate for kids of all ages and ethnicities.
Recommended age: Suggested age, 4-8, but we think even older kids can benefit from this book due to the important historical talking points in the back of the book.
Celebrate the life and voice of poet Gwendolyn Brooks with this thoughtful story that combines both Brooks' legacy with her life story. Known for being one of the most foremost poets on the Black experience and the role of women in society, Gwendolyn Brooks went from a young child writing all the time to become the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize and authoring 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies and one novel. Celebrated author and children's librarian Alice Faye Duncan makes Brooks come to life on the page for the young reader.
The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist
Amazon
Audrey was arrested! Cynthia Levinson brings this true tale of the youngest known child to be arrested at a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama. Kids will cheer for Audrey, equality and the rights of all children. Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton.
Written by President Barack Obama as a letter to his own daughters, this is the story of 13 key players in American history. From Jackie Robinson to Georgia O’Keefe to George Washington, Obama illustrates how his own children—and all kids—have these heroic traits in themselves. Uplifting and encouraging, your kids will gain an understanding of the history of the United States and know that “yes!” they can. Illustrated by Loren Long.
The summer of 1963 was an important time in America. Not only did Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington take place, but the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Maryland became desegregated and open to everyone. As the first African-American child to ride the carousel at the park that day, co-author Sharon Langley shares her story in this new book all about how a community came together for positive change.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
Amazon
If you want to talk about Black History with your kids, this book will take you back to the beginning. Told from the point of view of a 100-year-old African-American woman, Heart and Soul takes kids on a journey through the history of slavery to Jim Crow laws to the quest for equality and freedom in our schools and beyond. It teaches them about the reality and the inspiring truth: the men, women and children of all colors who rallied to change education laws and end segregation and who fight still for truth, justice and the true American way. Kadir Nelson is an award-winning author and illustrator, whose honors include the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Award.
Who was Katherine Johnson? This book will tell you: she is said to be one of the greatest minds of all time! She worked in the 1950s for the NASA space program and was such a brilliant mathematician that she figured out the math needed to send a rocket to the moon in her head. She didn't even use a computer or a calculator. This book will teach kids about her early life as a child growing up in a small town in Virginia that didn't even have a high school for African Americans (schools were segregated then), how her family moved to a town with a high school she could attend, and about her incredible career as a scientist and mathematics marvel.
Did you know the first success school desegregation case took place in Southern California? 23 years before the historical Brown v. Board of Education case there was the little-known case of Roberto Alvarez v. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District. This lovely bilingual storybook tells the tale of one immigrant community and its fight for equal rights.
Mia Yang has a few secrets: she lives in a motel, her parents clean the motel rooms and hide immigrants, and she wants to be a writer, not a mathematician. Loosely based on author Kelly Yang's childhood, this powerful story addresses poverty, systemic racism, stereotypes and more. Although this story takes place in the '90s, many of the heartbreaking stories told here remain true for immigrants and minorities today.
Afro-Puerto Rican immigrant and hero Aturo Schomburg was a law clerk with a passion: he collected books, letters, art and music from Africa and the African diaspora. When the collection got too big for his own shelves, he turned to the New York Public Library where, in 1905, he curated a collection known then as the "Negro Division." Not only does this book take you through the life and times of the amazing Arturo Schomburg, but it also details critical and often overlooked African Americans and African American history throughout major events in the forming of the United States of America, including revolutionaries, the woman who wrote poems in praise of George Washington, the powerful writings of Frederick Douglass and the whitewashing of African history. A must-read for kids from all walks of life.
42 Is Not Just a Number: The Odyssey of Jackie Robinson, American Hero
Candlewick Press
Jackie Robinson was an all-star from a young age: baseball, basketball, football, he excelled at them all. With talent like that, it seemed likely he'd go pro except for one thing: the color of his skin. So Jackie joined the Negro Leagues, setting records and impressing the manager of the major league team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1946, Jackie became the first African American EVER to play in MLB. He faced cruelty, protests and violence. But he persisted: he displayed courage, determination, restraint and an incredible ability to win the game. This detailed chapter book will help parents and kids alike to remember never give up.
This Newbery Award-winning book follows Katie and her family as they leave Iowa and move to Deep South Georgia in the 1950s. One of only 31 Japanese-American families in town, Katie, her older sister Lynn and hard-working parents will encounter racism at school and at work and when tragedy befalls the family, Katie must stay strong for everyone. A sobering historical fiction tale worth reading.
This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work
Quarto
New in January of 2020, author Tiffany Jewell aims to dismantle racism by helping readers understand the origins of racism, current racism in our society and how to stand up against racial oppression. Each chapter builds on the previous one as you learn more about yourself and racial oppression and it includes 20 powerfully effective activities to get you thinking and help you learn and grow.
Recommended age: The publisher list ages 11+ but we think every family should own a copy of this and read it together.
Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case
Chronicle Books
This book for older readers tells the story of a landmark civil rights case. Richard and Mildred Loving met in 1955 in Caroline County, Virginia, during a time when segregation, prejudice, injustice and cruelty were the norm. They fell in love and their love was at the heart of the Supreme Court case that legalized marriages between races.
In this Newbery honor book, you'll meet 12-year-old Jude, who has left her seaside home in Syria to escape the country's brutal civil war. She and her mother leave her father and brother behind as they head for Cinncinati to stay with relatives. Jude will experience being labeled as "Middle Eastern" for the first time, but she'll also discover new friends, a school musical that's worth taking the risk and finally understand that home can be in more than one place.
16-year-old Starr Carter is constantly trying to find the balance between the fancy prep school she attends and the poor neighborhood in which she lives. When she witnesses the death of her childhood friend at the hands of the police, that balance is shattered. The protests, the hate and the confusion that follow are achingly similar to current events. A heartbreaking tale, this poignant first-person narrative is a great way to start or continue a conversation with your tween about the Black Lives Matter movement.
From Newbery Award-winning novelist Mildred D. Taylor comes the end of the Logan family saga that began with Song of the Trees and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. In All the Days Past, Cassie Logan is all grown up and trying to find her place in the world. Her journey takes her to Toledo, California, law school in Boston and finally, back to Mississippi in the '60s to help with voter registration. She will be witness to the rise of the civil rights movement, which is preceded by racist American white society, and the often violent confrontations that bring about historical change.
Becoming a big brother or sister is an exciting time for firstborns. Days of solo playtime can now be replaced with magical adventures with a lifelong companion. While a new baby coming into the picture is indeed a joyous moment, it’s also a transitional period for the entire household. Schedules, routines and family outings all begin to change, which can be overwhelming for kids to process.
If you’re struggling to ease your youngster into this life-altering milestone, a relatable book may do the trick–and we have just the one for you! HarperCollins’ newly released Just Harriet introduces a precocious young girl named Harriet who is having trouble accepting a new baby that’s coming into the picture. Though she was promised that everything would stay the same, life is starting to feel different, especially since she’s sent to stay with her grandmother during the summer.
Written by Elana K. Arnold, the award-winning author of A Boy Called Bat, this young middle-grade story helps readers seven years and up understand and work through change. With some adventure along the way and a mystery that Harriet stumbles upon (and sets out to solve), kids will enjoy this transformative book.
The Story
Meet Harriet Wermer. A rising fourth-grader who enjoys adventure, playing with her orange Tabby cat named Matzo Ball, and spending time with her mom and dad. She doesn't like change and is known for telling a little white lie every now and then.
Although Harriet would much rather be alongside her parents during summer break, she learns that her parents won’t be able to spend time with her. Since her dad has to work and her mom is ordered to stay on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy, Harriet must stay with her grandmother and her grumpy old basset hound named Moneypenny.
Fortunately for Harriet, her Nanu (as she calls her) runs a cozy bed and breakfast on a small island off the coast of California. There, she makes new and interesting friends, finds a summer of adventure and may even unveil a surprise–one that involves her dad, a secret key and a treasure hunt. Can Harriet solve the mystery, and most importantly, come to terms with her new role of becoming a big sis?
Just Harriet is a wonderful addition to your child’s bookshelf that focuses on family life, personal growth and life changes. Purchase the book now and join Harriet in her exciting adventures!
Book lovers of all ages have experienced the power and charm that comes from getting lost in an amazing book. As you turn each page, you fall deeper and deeper into a new world–one second you’re on your couch and the next you’re inside a mystical realm.
That’s what happens to Cameron Battle and his two best friends in Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms. Written by debut author Jamar J. Perry, the novel follows the journey of the three pals who discover an ancestral book that magically transports them into a fabled country called Chidani. There they are faced with saving a hidden kingdom and its people who are in grave danger.
For readers aged 8 to 12, this blockbuster middle-grade fantasy unveils the trials and tribulations of a young boy who discovers his destined path to greatness. Drawing inspiration from West African and Igbo mythology, the read is action-packed and full of awe-inspiring adventures perfect for fans of Aru Shah and The End of Time and Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.
Cameron Battle, a young boy who is being raised by his grandma after the disappearance of his parents, was always drawn to family heirlooms. Growing up, his most prized possession was The Book of Chidani, which featured the fictional West African country Chidani and its fabled kingdom of the Igbo people. The mystical book, which had been passed down from generation to generation, is the only object that helps Cameron feel a connection to his mom and dad after they went missing two years ago.
Unfortunately, Cameron’s grandmother keeps the Book locked away, but deep down he feels it continuously calling him–and he’s determined to find out why. One day, he and his best buds Zion and Aliyah decide to get a hold of the book and crack it open, which transports them to Chidani.
While the Book describes Chidani as a beautiful and wondrous place, the trio discovers its kingdom in extreme danger, as the Queen's sister wants to destroy the barrier between both worlds. The people of Chidani have long awaited for a special descendant to return and save them, but is Cameron ready for his destiny?
What Makes Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms So Special
A former middle school teacher, Jamar J. Perry wrote Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms to represent and magnify stories of queer Black boys who often feel different–a theme that is important to him.
While Perry creates a mystical atmosphere with thrilling action, the novel, through well-researched lore, addresses key themes and events from American history, and also includes West African American mythology. Through Chidani’s fantasy world, Perry incorporates cultural elements into the narrative by drawing inspiration from the generational oral storytelling of his own family, who are descendants of enslaved West Africans.
The Reviews Say it All
“This book is amazing! I loved it from the first word! Y’all are not ready for this adventure!” ―Amber, Goodreads Reviewer
“All the mythology, the action, and the characters had me wanting more by the end. Jamar's writing is beautiful, and he just has a way of bringing you into the story.” ―George Jreije, Goodreads Reviewer
“Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms is a truly special book – I can’t wait for young readers to explore Chidani and discover just how extraordinary and magical they are!” ―Isabella Ogbolumani, bookseller at Buffalo Street Books
Somehow, we’re coming to the end of summer already, and we’ll be back to school before we know it. While the new school year is still going to look a bit different than before, back-to-school supplies are still a must. The coolest supplies always help to get kids ready to leave the summer daze behind, so we’ve searched for some of the best school supplies that you can snag on Amazon right now. Keep reading to see them all.
Pastel Tie-Dye The Happy Planner 12-Month Student Planner
Perfect for middle and high schoolers, The Happy Planner's classic options leave plenty of room for navigating homework, while leaving tons of room for creativity. We love the plethora of cover options and tons of sticker books to make planning fun.
This school year will feel different for many reasons. The Mood Tracker Planner gives kids the space to plan their days and process their feelings in a safe space.
These poppers are all the rage and your little one will love having one on their backpack to fiddle with while they wait for you to pick them up from school.
Remember growing up with scratch and sniff stickers? Then you'll appreciate these sweet-smelling pencils. The scents, which include Bubble Gum, Blue Slushie, Pineapple Swirl and Jelly Donut are guaranteed to last two years. These #2 pencils pull double duty. They smell great and they're great for the environment because they're made from 100% recycled newspapers.
This smart notebook is just that. It only has 32 pages, but that's all you'll need. Kids can draw and write over and over again on the reusable pages that come in plain, lined and dotted. With the Rocketbook app, your kids' artwork can automatically be saved to the cloud, so you can save some trees and room on your fridge.
Everything is better in color! Including these gel ink pens. Kids can let their artistic flair flow with no stress. Even if they happen to color outside the lines, no worries, these pens are totally erasable!
These awesome erasers will cleanly take away your mistakes. They even go a step further with a roller to clean up your eraser rollings so your masterpiece stays that way.
A great way to stand out in sea of backpacks? Charms for your backpack are the perfect way to accessorize for school. This adorable Pusheenicorn will make a dose of magic to the school year.
These pencil cases are the cutest monsters you want to carry with you. They can stash up to 30 pencils and keep them zipped up till you need them. It's a practical case with a unique one zipper design with five colors to choose from.
When the busy school schedule kicks in, things can get a little stressful. These rubbery pencil toppers will help ease some of that stress. They help with nail and pencil biting by offering something safe to chew. The toppers are made with 100% safe silicon and are washable. One less thing to stress over already.
Lupita Nyong’o’s number one New York Times bestselling book, Sulwe, just keeps getting better. In addition to being released in an audio version, Netflix has just announced the children’s story will be turned into a new animated musical feature. The film will be produced by Nyong’o and based off the book.
The story follows Sulwe, a young girl with skin the color of midnight. One night, she heads out on a magical journey where she learns the story of the sisters Night and Day and a subsequent lesson in self-esteem, colorism and true beauty.
photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Nyong’o shares, “The story of Sulwe is one that is very close to my heart. Growing up, I was uncomfortable in my dark skin. I rarely saw anyone who looked like me in the aspirational pages of books and magazines, or even on TV. It was a long journey for me to arrive at self-love.
Sulwe is a mirror for dark-skinned children to see themselves, a window for those who may not be familiar with colorism, to have understanding and empathy, and an invitation for all who feel different and unseen to recognize their innate beauty and value. I am thrilled that the book is being adapted into an animated musical that we hope inspires children all around the world to celebrate their uniqueness.”
Netflix has not revealed details as to the release date.
My daughter was about two and a half when I first heard her utter the words, “I no want it.” I was getting her ready for Grandparent’s Day at school and pulled out a precious dress for her to wear. The conversation went something like this:
Audrey, grabbing the hem of the dress and shaking her head, “I no want it.”
Understandably shocked, I questioned, “What do you mean you don’t want it? Of course, you want this! This is adorable!” In my defense, it was adorable. Fine wale corduroy animal print dress with a bishop collar and hot pink trim, what’s not to love? I am Southern, after all.
“I no want it.”
I took a deep breath, a mental step back, and let her choose. For me, her selection fell into the ‘play clothes’ category and not really the ‘Grandparent’s Day’ category but she looked adorable and most importantly, she was satisfied with the opportunity to choose and was happy with her selection.
Whether we like it or not, at the earliest age, our children have a sense of self. They have preferences. These may not be our preferences, of course, but who am I to say what’s right?
I think as parents we can get caught up in the fear of what other people will think. Not only about what others will think of us as parents, but what other kids will think of our kids. As an adult, I know that what other people think of me is none of my business. For kids, however it may not always be that easy; there may be struggle. Like it or not, we are hardwired as humans to struggle. The important thing is to give our children the opportunity to cope with the struggle instead of rushing in to save them from ever having to struggle.
A relative once shared an instance when her young son wanted to go to preschool wearing his sister’s pink barrette in his hair. She asked him if he might want to just carry the barrette with him instead of wearing it. His choice was to wear it pinned into his beautiful blonde hair. She hugged him tight and wished him to have the best, most fun day. My daughter’s socks rarely ever match. By choice. My son once asked me to paint his fingernails yellow…and wear it to daycare. I offered the option of wearing the nail polish only for the weekend but he chose to try it out during the week. I too, sent him on his way wishing him the happiest of days.
By supporting their choices, we instantly communicate how much they are loved no matter what. We are telling them that their choices matter and that they are good, valued, and loved even with pink barrettes, yellow nail polish, and mismatched socks.
So, what is our message when we tell them no?
I can’t say with absolute certainty what this means for our children. I’m sure that the little boy who wore the barrette may have gotten some giggles or even a few high-fives. It’s possible that my daughter has received a strange look or comment about her socks. I would bet at least one child asked my son why his nails were yellow.
I would argue, though, that whatever they experienced, they all learned something. He possibly learned what it means to be courageous. She may have learned what it’s like to feel different and whether or not that is okay with her. He may have learned how to deal with embarrassment or even how to handle loads of positive attention.
I know for sure they learned that within the space of life, they can make choices and no matter the outcome, they will always have a soft place to fall – into the loving and accepting arms of their mother.
Letting them be who they are. Enjoying them through every questionable ensemble, yellow nail polish, and pink barrettes…reminding them of their awesomeness each and every step of the way.
Do you have a story to share with our readers? We want to hear it!Sign up for our Spoke Contributor Network and startsubmitting your writing today.
Melanie Forstall is a full-time mother, full-time wife, full-time teacher, and never-enough-time blogger at Melanie Forstall: Stories of Life, Love, and Mothering. She holds a doctorate in education and yet those many years of schooling have proved to be utterly useless when it comes to actual mothering.
All children are smart in their own way. Some children, however, have individual learning styles that don’t allow them to succeed with traditional learning methods.
These children are not disabled. They’re quite capable of learning everything their peers learn. They just learn in a different way. But children with learning differences are often robbed of their confidence and joy.
It can be tremendously difficult for parents to accept that their child may have a learning challenge that interferes with the child’s success and potential. The possibility can leave parents feeling helpless and isolated. Yet, because parents know their child best, it’s critically important that they recognize any learning differences and seek help. Early intervention can have a significant impact on a child’s success in school—and in life. If addressed early, problems associated with learning differences can be minimized and success maximized.
In educational settings, learning differences typically aren’t realized until children enter the primary grades, when reading, spelling and math are introduced. Then, the child may exhibit signs that could be interpreted as a behavior problem, when they’re really a reflection of the child’s frustration with a learning difference.
Children are smart. They realize when other children are “getting” what they aren’t in the classroom. They recognize that, despite working hard, paying attention, listening and doing their homework, school isn’t getting any easier. They feel less and less successful and more and more different.
For children who feel different, expert intervention is important, but feeling connected and good about oneself is essential. Here is where parents play an important role. They can help make success happen for their child, all the while building their child’s confidence and joy.
To do this, parents will need to put on their sleuth’s hat and uncover how best to accomplish these five essentials for their child’s success:
Investigate the way your child processes information best.
“Learning style” can be interpreted in different ways. Generally, it’s broken down by visual, auditory or kinesthetic (touching and/or movement). But a child can be an auditory-visual learner, for instance or an auditory-kinesthetic learner—or even a combination of all three. But learning is also influenced by a child’s emotional state. Parents and teachers will want to discover a child’s learning style, as well as watch and note learning response behaviors that can reveal lots of information as to how a child can be a successful learner.
Determine what learning experiences mirror your child’s interests.
Children do best when they’re interested in a topic. Watch your child closely. Observe him during his daily activities. Notice when he smiles. See what he can’t wait to do. When you see what your child gravitates toward, expand on it. If your child loves the park and has movement concerns, for example, figure out which playground equipment would be best for body movements, strengthening, balance, etc. and play together on it. Be a kid again yourself!
Keep any comparisons with other children confidential.
Your child is smart in her own way. Celebrate the differences and love each child unconditionally. Instead of intimidating your child through comparisons with siblings or classmates, realize your child is a different learner and encourage her unique interests and abilities. For example, Carly’s brother Jason could speak and read two languages at the age of nine. Carly, though, enjoyed putting coins in money rolls and taking them to the bank to deposit. Jason grew up to become a language professor, while Carly became a successful commodities broker.
Uncover and praise your child’s strengths.
All children have strengths. You need to fully recognize what stands out about your child. What can he do that’s different from others? What is he willing to try that the other children won’t? Make a point to praise your child’s special qualities and not to call out any weaknesses. Your child may have a kind heart and a willingness to share toys with others. Catch him comforting another child who is upset and let him know that you appreciate his gift of compassion.
Find ways to have fun with your child.
Making learning tedious with a “to do” list can bring everyone down. Put tasks aside and give your child your undivided attention for a period of time each day—even if it’s only five minutes—apart from her siblings. Let her be the leader and you the follower. Let her choose the activity (within reason), whether it’s going on a scavenger hunt or just cuddling on the couch. She is in control now and there’s no right or wrong way of doing anything.
Different doesn’t have to be negative for children with learning differences. In order to ward off feelings of frustration and failure, parents and teachers must know how the child learns best and allow the child to experience success, both academically and socially. From success, confidence and joy will grow and lead to more success.
Dr. Deborah Ross-Swain is a licensed speech-language pathologist and CEO of the Swain Center for Listening, Communicating and Learning. Dr. Elaine Fogel Schneider is CEO of TouchTime International. Drs. Swain and Schneider’s new book, Confidence & Joy, provides parents with tools to help children with learning differences realize lifelong success.
