Learning problems in Children
Dr. Chandana D. Karathully
Education is of prime importance in modern world. The importance of education has grown far more than gaining literacy or finding a job. It provides us with the skills, confidence and resources to move forward in our life and attain whatever we wish for. But it is also a sad truth that even if our country is providing us with best schools or academic facilities, the number of children who face learning problems are ever increasing. To combat the issue, first we need to evaluate why such learning issues are occurring in the first place.
Children are different from each other. They differ in terms of intelligence, learning speed, learning modalities etc. So evaluating why a child is scholastically backward needs consistent effort and thorough observation of the child.
Scholastic Backwardness is one of the common problems seen in children. It is explained as the consistent inability of a child to perform in school academically. Before stereotyping the child as lazy or unmotivated, we have to evaluate the underlying problem which might be causing the issues.
One of the major problems that might be causing learning problems is lower intellectual capacity of the child. Children with lower I.Q. levels tend to fall behind in the class, unless they receive special individual attention and coaching in overcoming their deficit and learning the academic material. Children with intelligence level in the low average or borderline I.Q. level can be grouped together as slow learners. They need special care and coaching so that they can excel in the class, gain confidence and complete their schooling more efficiently.
The next common problem that might cause learning problems is Learning Disability. Not every child that has learning problems is having learning disability. It is a neurologically based processing problem which can interfere with basic skills like reading, writing or doing math. It is a common misconception that all children who suffer with learning disability are having a lower I.Q. It is not true. The diagnosis of the presence of a learning disability demands that the problem faced by the child should not be explainable due to problems in intellectual capacity. The fact is that children with learning disabilities can be smart or smarter than their peers. The learning disability which causes problems in reading is called dyslexia, which causes problems in writing is called dysgraphia and which causes problems in arithmetic is called dyscalculia. The problem is neurologically based and it means that it is their specific disabilities in certain areas of their brain that might be causing the problem. There are strategies a person can learn to make it easier to cope with these difficulties. The problems make indentifying letters and sounds, reading, writing and even doing simple sums difficult. As a result, the child’s performance in the school might get affected, they may be working at a slower pace than expected, and they may lack enthusiasm for reading or writing. The problem can go undiagnosed and the child without sufficient support and training can find it hard to keep up with his/her peers.
ADHD is another common problem that might cause the child to lack attention, to be hyperactive or impulsive. The issues of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity might be expressed in every setting, in school or home or playground. The child might face difficulty in waiting for turn, in sustaining his attention to complete tasks and in focusing on minor aspects of a situation. They may be hyperactive, irritable, fidgety and absent minded. They may lack restraint and interrupt others as they can’t wait. It needs to be diagnosed early in their life and the child may require special attention and care in order to learn strategies to help him control or calm himself.
The attention problems in children are also a major culprit in causing learning problems in them. The inability to sustain attention and distractibility are caused by many lifestyle factors. The frequent use of digital media can affect the children. Researchers have found that the students who reported using digital media were more likely than their peers to show symptoms of lack of attention and hyperactivity. Frequent digital media use can bring out latent symptoms or create symptoms that look like ADHD. For young children, it is more important to limit the use of technology because it has profound effects on their brain development.
Another major problem in school going children that might be harming their academic involvement is the lack of sufficient study habits. In an academic journey, having good and effective study habits help us to navigate through exam days and achieve high scores. Getting organized, planning on revising difficult topics, having a designated study area, developing a study plan and time table, maintaining a positive attitude towards learning, avoiding distractions at any cost, practicing model tests, developing reading habit and having a goal for our future self can help immensely in maintaining focus and attaining good grades. Today most of the children lack in the dimensions of developing study skills and habits, and consequently their performance suffer. Parents must be vigilant in training the children to develop these habits which can act as an anchor in their future also.
Children facing learning issues can also suffer from lack of self confidence. Consistent failures in class can ruin their self concept and can make them hesitant towards working hard to correct their problems. It is the job of their parents to help them correct their issues by providing sufficient resources and training.