Learning Different.

The Thinking Man

   We have all heard that people learn differently.  Most folks know the three common styles which are auditory, kinesthetic, visual.  I have always thought I was a combination leaning towards visual.  I have known almost since birth that Zeke was kinesthetic.  He is a hands on type child.  He was never much on coloring sheets and handouts.  He wanted to build, experience and do.  Throughout the school year, he relies heavily on all three styles and thrives best when they are used together frequently....thus comes the struggle of homework. Most students with dyslexia (dysgraphia and a little attention on the side) do best with the multi sensory approach.  Now let me ask you a question, when was the last time writing spelling words, writing definitions and completing math calculations was multi sensory?  Paper work for Zeke is very tedious..we experience family trauma getting homework completed.  It is looooooooooong, it is tedious.........how do we make it multi sensory...how do you make writing definitions involve movement besides the flipping of pages.  Sometime we feel like we are doing him a disservice trying to complete the work for the sake of completing it, even though he is completely wore out after the first two hours.  I wish I had all the answers. Some nights, I get discouraged. Thankfully I know the ONE who has all the answers.

   I have to remember that Zeke learns differently.  He has a learning difference not a disability. In other words, He has plenty of ability just learns differently.  It took us (parental figures) a long while to admit it but it is true.  We must embrace it.  We must cherish his gifts.  We tell Zeke all the time that God made you for a purpose. I hope that if your child learns differently you seek out their gifts.  You seek to find ways to encourage them, to make learning fun, to find their style and empower them.

Here is a homework help sheet for parents: http://www.allkindsofminds.org/documents/Homework.pdf

Cub Scout Fun

Zeke is a Wolf Scout with Pack 40 in Fulton. He loves it!! I would recommend scouting to anyone. The Cub Scout Program offers excellent opportunities for leadership, educational enrichment, socialization and fun. Zeke loves anything to do with science. He is a very kinetic learner and scouting is centered around hands on learning. The above pictures were taken while waiting for our first parade as a scout. It was on September 20th at the Fulton Railroad Heritage Festival. Elijah also stepped on board the train to take a look around. Stephen was trying to entertain Elijah with the old airplane routine.

Zeke and Homework Fun!!

Number one: This is my first foray into posting a video to You Tube and into a blog, so I am still trying to figure out what all I just did to accomplish this feat!! Number two: We sound like Country Bumpkins, mainly because we are!! Number three: If you are a parent who had a Martha Stewart Mentality of school is going to be full of room mother heaven, fun field trips and learning all kinds of educational wonders, just know that I once too had that dream. I walked with Zeke into K. with hopeful anticipation. We had had a very successful childcare and preschool experience. But with age comes more structure including rules and work. My Zeke is very smart, loving, fun, energetic and creative. He loves finding things especially bugs and things you can only imagine from dirt. He loves playing with friends, riding bikes. He is my precious wonderful boy!! The thing about Zeke is while I was looking forward to this wonderful school experience, he was sad because there are not as many toys in the K. classroom. While he like friends and physical adventures, we found that he does not like to read very much(yet we are working very hard), worksheets turn his attention span off, not talking for extended periods of time is almost impossible. School has been a trial for Zeke in many areas. All parents want their child to succeed. Zeke has had many success and struggles. We work constantly on skills of focus, being on task, organization, reading and math. This video shows how Zeke is making progress during homework time in second grade. It is also funny because it shows him losing focus. But his Mom was pestering him with several questions. We have had a wild ride through school so far. I am sure I will write more about it later...