School. Is. Out. For. The. SUMMER!
Kids around the nation are rejoicing in the several weeks of freedom they receive each summer from school. Freedom to relax, run, jump, swim, play and sit under the stars watching fireflies light up the sky. It's a time where the pressure of school is temporarily absent, allowing kids to experience the relief and joy of childhood.
While summer is a fantastic time for kids to be kids, it's also the critical time of year that many kids struggle to retain everything they learned from the previous school year. There is a delicate balance parents need to find between relaxation and finding opportunities to learn even on summer break. For kids who have learning and attention issues, this time of year can be particularly challenging, especially if the right resources are not in place.
One in five children struggles with issues related to reading, math, writing, focus, and organization, yet many children with learning and attention issues do not have a diagnosis. The adults in their lives often have a hard time understanding their issues due to misconceptions and a lack of information and resources. As a result, children with learning and attention issues often face both academic and social challenges, such as:
Understood.org is a free, one-stop, easy-to-use online resource and community designed to help parents of children with learning and attention issues. Whatever stage of the journey you are on as a parent, Understood has the resources you and your child need to succeed. Summer is an important time to make use of resources like Understood, as this non-school season can be especially challenging for kids with learning and attention issues. They have to deal with a change in routine, new social situations and unusual environments.
Some of the resources Understood offers that might especially be helpful in the summer:
One in five children struggles with issues related to reading, math, writing, focus, and organization, yet many children with learning and attention issues do not have a diagnosis. The adults in their lives often have a hard time understanding their issues due to misconceptions and a lack of information and resources. As a result, children with learning and attention issues often face both academic and social challenges, such as:
- Only 68% of students with learning issues graduate with a regular high school diploma.
- 55% of students with learning and attention issues have had some type of involvement with the criminal justice system within eight years of leaving high school.
With the diagnosis of learning and attention issues, many parents worry that their children may never succeed in a classroom. Research shows that there is absolutely no connection between learning issues and IQ. When kids have support and the right strategies in place, they can truly thrive in a learning environment.
Understood.org is a free, one-stop, easy-to-use online resource and community designed to help parents of children with learning and attention issues. Whatever stage of the journey you are on as a parent, Understood has the resources you and your child need to succeed. Summer is an important time to make use of resources like Understood, as this non-school season can be especially challenging for kids with learning and attention issues. They have to deal with a change in routine, new social situations and unusual environments.
Some of the resources Understood offers that might especially be helpful in the summer:
- Events and Outings, which can help kids tackle the unique challenges of being out and about in various social situations.
- Daily Expectations can aide parents in creating new routines in your daily summer activities (which we all know can be the difference between surviving or thriving this summer!).
- You and Your Family, a great overall resource that helps families with practical solutions and advice for social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
- Through Your Child's Eyes. Not sure what it is like to struggle with learning and attention issues? This insightful section will help you experience life through your child's eyes.
It's helpful to be aware of the signs of learning and attention issues. Being able to pinpoint a child's struggles helps them get the resources they need to thrive.
To learn more about learning and attention issues, and to see what kind of resources are available to you, head to Understood.org.
