Helping Your Child Succeed In School
By: Mary Alston Kerllenevich, Ph.D.
       Jacqueline B. Brown, Ph.D.

Even within the same family children can have vastly different learning styles. Many of you can probably relate to having a child who seems to lack motivation to work, who despite trying his hardest still struggles, who is too full of energy to focus on anything for more than 10 seconds, or who often gets in trouble at school but makes good grades. Each of these children presents a different learning challenge. Even more frustrating is that once you have figured out one child, another presents with a set of totally different challenges.

It is not easy to know what to do with these challenges, but knowing your child’s learning style can help. Some children learn well in the typical classroom setting, but many others struggle. While the traditional classroom is geared for auditory learners, there are actually three main learning styles: auditory learners, kinesthetic learners, and visual learners. Most teachers today recognize that children learn best through a combination of the three. A basic definition of an auditory learner is someone who can hear new information and understand it without needing any other cues. A visual learner is someone who does best when they can see the information. A kinesthetic learner does best when they can actually engage in an activity (ex. writing letters in a sand tray). To understand the three styles, think of giving directions. An auditory learner does best when given directions with street signs and names, a visual learner does well with landmarks or a map, and a kinesthetic learner may need to actually go to the place one time, but will then know how to get there with little help in the future. Knowing your child’s learning style can guide you and their teacher in helping your child succeed academically.

In some cases a child may have special learning needs that need to be assessed by a professional. However, knowing when to seek services for your child can be challenging. Some kids have learning disorders that prevent them from readily understanding information related to a specific subject – such as math or reading - despite being very intelligent. Other children may have limited attention spans or difficulty sitting still, which can make completing assignments on time nearly impossible. Still others may be intellectually gifted but lose interest in school. Another thing to watch for is when a child who has previously done well starts struggling. In any of these cases, consulting with your school’s psychologist or an outside professional is a good idea. They may recommend psycho-educational testing to further identify your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses.

Once you finally figure out how to help your child succeed, everything changes when it is time to get ready for college. Now the goal changes from YOU being the expert regarding your child’s learning to your child becoming the expert on his or her own learning styles and interests. Some adolescents and young adults struggle to identify what they want to do while others seem to have always known. Even parents who have faced very few challenges with their child’s learning up until this point may find themselves wanting to scream (a lot) when their child has been in college for four years but continuously changes her major, or when she chooses something that doesn’t seem like a good fit. To help your child through this very challenging process you may suggest that she observe various professions through internships or part-time jobs. Also, try to remember that at some point you have to let your child decide for himself what he thinks best suits him. If your child still seems lost, it may be helpful to consult with his guidance counselor or obtain a vocational assessment. Career assessment inventories can be used to help pinpoint your child’s interests and guide them toward a profession in which they are likely to be successful.

Whatever the challenges you face with your child, make sure you keep in close contact with his teachers and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Parenting is hard enough without facing every challenge alone.



 

Mary Alston Kerllenevich earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Clark University in 2006. She completed her pre-doctoral internship with Emory School of Medicine at Grady Hospital in Atlanta prior to joining Psychological Services of St. Augustine in 2006. She works with both adults and children, and specializes in treating a variety of child behavior problems, and problems with depression and anxiety. She particularly enjoys working with young children and families, and uses a solution-focused approach in her treatment of mental health problems.

Psychological Services of St. Augustine, Inc.

Main Office: 1100-1 South Ponce de Leon Boulevard, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Phone (904) 824-7733 Fax (904) 829-9768

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