Core Learning Skills

Weak underlying mental tools cause smart students to struggle in school My husband is fond of saying, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”  But the bottom line is that even though a hammer may be an excellent tool, it isn’t the right tool to do all jobs.…

REAL Changes for Struggling Students Have you ever fallen short on a New Year’s resolution?  Yep!  I know I have.  New Year’s resolutions usually fall by the wayside because we don’t have a strong enough reason to make the change, or we don’t have a plan to get us through the tough parts of creating…

Don’t Let the Holidays Hijack Your Child! Keeping kids on track all the way to winter break How the Holidays Disrupt Homework Happy Holidays!  The calendar has finally caught up with the TV commercials.  So what does that look like for kids still in school for one more month and families still dealing with homework?…

Stop the Homework Battle and Get Your Confident Child Back This is my, “I hate homework face!”   If homework is a battle in your home, you probably see some version of this face on a fairly regular basis at homework time, though I’m guessing it’s not this orange! Parents just like you, exhausted by…

From Struggle to Flight Dragon’s Teeth in Maui is one of my favorite places in the world.  Here in the coves created by lava flow, you can see sea turtles battling the currents and undertow as the waves pound in and out.  They are incredibly resilient and just keep going no matter how much they…

Have you ever sat in a long meeting or seminar and found yourself getting sleepy, antsy, and dying for a break so you could get up and move around? Research shows that physical movement can enhance clarity, attention, and readiness for learning.  Physical movement increases oxygen flow to the brain, improving alertness, concentration, and receptivity. …

The bell rings.  Eleven-year-old Kasey explodes from her desk and races out the door, knocking into a few desks, trampling a few toes, and elbowing several classmates out of the way.  She is SO ready for recess and trots off to grab a ball before anyone else does. Kasey has no idea that there is…

Myth #1:  People with learning challenges just aren’t that smart. Truth:  By definition, students with learning disabilities have average to above average intelligence.  This is why it is so frustrating and confusing for all involved when otherwise typical students struggle in school Myth #2:  Students who struggle in school are just lazy. Truth:  After multiple…

Once when I was traveling in Europe, I heard some American tourists grumbling that things just weren’t the same in Europe as they are at home!  “Of course not,” I thought.  “Isn’t that why we travel to other countries?  To experience something different?” Most of us do like routine and predictability in our lives most…

It’s the holidays, and along with the fun comes a whole other set of stressors that may cause already inflexible children (and their families) to miss the magic. Why Does My Child Act This Way? A big snowstorm near one airport can cause flight delays and cancellations all over the country. While people got to…