Children will mature and often times, many issues do fade away on their own. But during their growing years, many will require your guidance and occasional intervention to help them get through the routines of the day. Another salient realisation is that there is a role of objectivity in parenting. It means accepting that your children are individuals and are unique in their own ways; be it temperament or their interaction with others.

LEARNING DIFFERENTLY

When a child has a learning difficulty, he or she may exhibit signs of being easily distracted even for a short period of time while others can stay relatively focused Start to observe and make records of your child for a period of time following feedback from your pre-schooler’s teacher. It helps to establish a pattern of behaviour at home and at school and surface the cause of the distraction. However, if your child continues to be inconsistent in school performance even when he is learning in a quiet corner away from all the distraction by age 5-6 years old; then it is advisable to seek professional advice if he/ she may be facing some learning difficulties.

Another difficulty is the trouble making the connection between letters and sounds and with spelling or recognising words, even after trying for a period of time. Some also experience difficulty in following directions like distinguishing left from right and in organising written and spoken language. As in learning all new things, it may take months for junior to accomplish recognition. In such cases, patience helps. When you think they know it, then move on to the next set of sequential numbers or alphabets.

CLUMSY

Some children may exhibit poor coordination of motor skills such as eye-hand coordination. They may not be able to cut precisely with lines drawn, assembling puzzles or trouble colouring within the lines. It may not be limited to poor motor skills if the child keeps breaking things and has poor balance such as knocking into things and falling down. Have their eyes checked to rule out early myopic related issues. If their eyes are
alright, then take heart that motor skills can get better as the child grows; with proper nutrition, exercise and practice.

POOR EATING HABITS

Parents are usually concerned about junior’s eating patterns and would often ask if they eat their vegetables or meat in school. It is not surprising as some parents shared that their children tend to push away vegetables or soup during meal times; with some resorting to extreme choices such as just eating plain rice or just meat. You’ll be surprised to know that when the little ones eat with their peers in school, they eat everything off the plate! They role model each other and when they see their friends trying out and eating different kinds of foods, they follow.

Likewise, when eating at home, parents are their role models and when you eat greens and a variety of foods, they are also keen to do so. While it may not be immediate, by maintaining a positive eating environment at meal times, it’s only a matter of time before they learn to eat a variety of foods and develop their own unique favourite.

BAD DAY AT SCHOOL

Mummies are normally the worriers and their anxiety compounds when junior shares about having a bad day in school. Stories such as conflicts between friends, toy snatching, being reprimanded by a teacher or coming back with mozzie bites, bruises or scratches would cause mummies to worry all night, wondering what had happened to their children. Remember to keep your objectivity when finding out from their teacher about such incidents. The main idea is to find solutions and to help your child be comfortable and positive.

It is every parent’s desire to give their children the best advantage in the world. However, it can be both worrying and frustrating at the same time when your child is progressing differently or slower than expected. Consult professionals when the techniques you are using are not getting the results you are hoping for, or if your child’s issues are causing him/her great distress and unable to function properly at home or school. Just be mindful that your child needs your understanding and support under such circumstances and your presence and love will give your child the motivation to be positive and progress better when they face learning challenges.

Article contributed by Josiah Montessori.

This article is taken from our My Alvernia Magazine Issue #32. This issue also covers other paediatric and parenting issues with articles on milk for toddlers and getting your child to read. To find out more, click here or read on Magzter here.