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Written by Brad James
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ADHD, described as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is typical in little children. This disorder involves behaviours whereby little children do not pay attention and are considered progressively impulsive and lively as compared to an average youngster in the same age bracket. Behaviour problems with regard to learning and also socialising are major in youngsters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There are actually different causes associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, like a chemical asymmetry in the organising centers of the brain and a plausible family history, whereby there are other people in the very same ancestral line who have the exact same dysfunction. An additional reason behind attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be linked to the pregnancy stage: the mum might have used damaging products such as alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy. ADHD can also be a consequence of the artificial additives present in countless foods. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has been found to impact about twelve percent of kids worldwide and is far more prevalent in boys than females. If your child suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, she or he will experience challenges such as difficulty in following directions, being unable to listen closely to anything you say, inability to focus on details, disorganization, getting easily distracted, losing their garments, failure to recall things, and so forth. You will find a few other indicators, for example, having a habit of interrupting people constantly and inability to remain still. Youngsters afflicted with ADHD continuously talk and yell out replies, and are not able to sit down for long periods of time. They're raucous when playing, are enormously active all the time, and show lack of patience.
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Written by Colette Robicheau
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Although most of us are enjoying a relaxing summer break, the new school year is just around the corner. August/January is the time to get ready for back to school by preparing ourselves with the proper supplies and organizational techniques. Follow these suggestions to create a less stressful year and to avoid that last minute scurry before the first day of school. Even if you don’t have children or aren’t attending school yourself, we can all benefit by using this time to readjust our schedules and routines. 1) Use Calendars - Prepare your calendar for the upcoming school year. Family members should have easy access to one central calendar at home. Keep one in your kitchen or den so everyone in your family can see what is on the agenda for the weeks ahead. Record important dates such as school closings, vacations, appointments or meetings. This will allow everyone to judge time accordingly for car scheduling and pick ups. Designate each family member a coloured marker to write activities to clearly see who has what coming up. In a backpack, keep a daily planner and carry it at all times. Jot down appointments or project deadlines right away before you forget. Don’t rely on memory - write it all down. 2) Only Buy What You Will Use - Organizing and prioritizing means making space in your room, home or office to store new school work and supplies. Don’t go overboard buying new supplies thinking this will help you be more organized. Rather, look at the basic items you use and only buy those. Make a list of the items you need and only purchase those items when shopping. By gathering your pre-existing supplies, you can judge more effectively what extra supplies you will need, and what has worked best for you in the past. 3) Get Rid of the Old to Make Room for the New - Get rid of old books and papers that you no longer use.
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Written by Marin Lipowitz
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Albert Einstein, arguably the greatest mathematician/scientist of our or any time, was by no means an honor student. School was not to his liking, and he did not excel in his classes. But he was able in spite of (or perhaps because of) that "shortcoming" to successfully nurture an inner genius that was prolific, productive, and formidable. A homeschool environment is perhaps then the most likely option for children whose particular genius does not fare well in the classroom. Here’s what Einstein had to say about exams, "One had to cram all this stuff into one's mind for the examinations, whether one liked it or not. This coercion had such a deterring effect on me that, after I had passed the final examination, I found the consideration of any scientific problems distasteful to me for an entire year." It’s possible to extrapolate this to a child who may be under the considerable stress of math fears or phobias. An obvious solution could be a homeschool math curriculum that’s an antidote to such a debilitating, stressful environment. Here’s a few more of Einstein’s thoughts on education and formal schooling, "The only thing that interfered with my learning is my education." And, "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school." Perhaps a differentiation between schooling and education is relevant here. The root of the word education is educere from the Latin, "to lead out." Whereas schooling implies sameness and a sort of herding together, as in “a school of fish,” education can be seen as discovering the genius within and "leading it out" into the world.
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Written by Cindy Jett, LICSW
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Starting a new school can be very frightening for a child, particularly if the child is introverted or shy. Here are a few tips to help ease the transition: 1. If the new school offers an orientation, plan to attend with your child. For elementary age children, it is also might a good idea to arrange a meeting with the child’s teacher before she begins school. The teacher can tell your child a little about her class, and answer any of her questions. 2. Discuss any fears that your child may have about a new school. Help to calm her fears by either giving her more information, or explaining to her why her worst fears are unlikely to be realized. 3. Practice social skills with your child. Demonstrate how to introduce herself to new people, and then let her practice. Show her how she can start a conversation with a peer by making a positive comment about something the peer does or says. 4. Visit the school’s website, or get a brochure with information on extracurricular activities. Go through these materials with your child and see what piques her interest.
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