Stowell Learning Center Blog
Fooled You!
By Jill Stowell | | ADHD, Dyslexia, Learning Disability
I remember playing Hide-and-Seek as a kid. Our very best games were down at the state park by the beach because there were lots of fun places to hide. We got such delight out of fooling our friends with a really great hiding place. In the right context, hiding can be fun. But hiding your…
Read More The Real Reason Behind Poor Motivation or Lack of Confidence in Students
By Jill Stowell | | Classroom, Development, Executive Function, General Information, Homeschool, Learning Challenge, Learning Disability, School, Uncategorized
What Came First? The Chicken or the Egg? I think lack of confidence and motivation in students comes down to this kind of question. “If my son were more motivated, he would do fine in school.” “I think she just lacks confidence. That’s why she takes so long to do homework. She’s afraid to do…
Read More Augh!!! My Teacher Talks Too Fast!
By Jill Stowell | | Attention, Auditory Processing, Classroom, General Information, IEP, Learning Disability, Processing Speed, School
What does horse racing have to do with people talking too fast? Nothing really, but I wonder if that’s what it feels like to students with slow processing speed. Race horses fly by in a blur. What would school be like if words flew by you in a blur? Students with learning challenges sometimes feel…
Read More Do Not Pass Go – Go Straight to ADHD
By Jill Stowell | | ADHD, Auditory Processing, Core Learning Skills, Dyslexia, General Information, IEP, Learning Disability
Pay attention! Pay attention! Pay attention! How many times can you tell a kid to pay attention before they finally get the message? For some parents and teachers, it feels endless. Having worked with thousands of struggling learners over the years, I recognize that ADHD is a real and sometimes a devastating challenge for families.…
Read More Practice Doesn’t Always Make Perfect
By Jill Stowell | | Classroom, Development, General Information, Homeschool, Homework, IEP, Learning Challenge, Learning Disability, Poor grades, School, Tutoring
Most things in life get better with practice. A learning challenge is not generally one of them. A 10-year-old with a 1st grade reading ability A perpetually distracted student A teen who studies like a maniac but never fails to fail his tests A child who constantly says, “Huh? What?” Who is falling behind in…
Read More The Hidden Meaning Behind Disruptive Behavior
By Jill Stowell | | General Information, Learning Disability, School
Someone emailed me a cartoon of a principal on the phone with a parent saying, “I wouldn’t say your son is a bad child. He’s gifted in disruptive behavior.” Augh! Not the phone call you want to get! Many years ago when I taught 4th grade, I had a student, Tony, who constantly made clever…
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