Posts Tagged ‘Reading’

 This mother would like others to know how life can change dramatically with the Neuro-Educational Programs for children that struggle.

“Where does one begin to share about one of the greatest gifts God has given our family? Little Giant Steps (LGS) has been part of our lives for almost 2 years and has truly changed our son’s life. Luke was 9 when he began the program. To understand the miracle LGS has been, you need to know a bit about Luke’s story.

From birth, Luke was not making the normal “mile stones.” Since he was our third child we knew what to expect. It was at his 9-month appointment we started a battery of tests to search for answers. His diagnosis ended up being mild to moderate Cerebral Palsy. The doctors shared that they did not know if he would ever walk or talk. Eventually, our son mastered both. From 9 months on, Luke has always had some form of therapy and he has slowly progressed. Then at age 4, Luke began to have complex partial seizures. These were controlled by medication. Luke went to our local elementary school and we were pleased with the care he received. But, he always seemed to take one step forward in mastering something, to take three steps back. We tried many various options, from repeating Kindergarten to trying more time in “therapy.” Nothing ever seemed to help.

In fourth grade, we moved and our new school was not able to accommodate his special needs. We were distraught to say the least. As we looked into other options, each one had roadblocks. Weeks before the new school year were to begin; a friend asked if I had heard of LGS. Unfortunately, we had not up to this point. Quickly, we watched a video, hopped around on the website and made an appointment to be evaluated. (To be honest, we had to be very creative in our finances and even at this point, God provided).

From the beginning, EVERYTHING about LGS has been exactly what we needed. Jan Bedell, M.Ed., M.ND. Certified Neuro-Educational Specialist (The Brain Coach) has been a tool in God’s hands to literally begin to transform Luke’s life in a few short months. Luke has struggled from day one with an array of challenges from physical to learning (dysgraphia, dyslexia, processing issues and at age 9, he still was unable to read). Once evaluated, we began our INP and within 6 weeks Luke was reading. His retention seemed to double, his tactile issues lessened and over all our son’s confidence began to change.

Recently, our journey has been marred with more challenges in regards to Luke’s health. Last year, he was diagnosed with a low grade, brain tumor. Sadly, Luke’s hippo-campus was removed, along with part of his temporal lobe. We had to take a break from LGS and months ago begun the program again. While Luke is healing, there is clear evidence that his memory is hindered. Our hope is God will use LGS once again to do what no other program or therapist has ever accomplished.  So far, we see good progress.  I am not sure what would have become of Luke had God not placed LGS in our lives. It has done miracles in our boy…and we are forever grateful for Jan’s evaluations, Michelle’s constant contact, guidance, encouragement and Alysa’s administrative gifts.”

We will keep up with Luke and let you know as he moves through this setback.  In the meantime, pray for recovery and that he be restored.  The plasticity of the brain is amazing, and no one knows it’s boundaries in cases like Luke’s.  We’ll keep you posted.  May God bless all children who struggle with learning.

  So, he can’t read very well…. I’m just a parent, not an educator.

Today is Monday.  Today is the day to get started making a difference in your child’s academic life!  ”How?,” you ask.  “I’m not a teacher,” you say.  

Here’s the real truth; you are the very BEST teacher your child has.  You know your child better than anyone. You know the subtle nuances of their behavior, actions and language.  In fact, many parents these days  feel very out of touch with their children, due to lives that are rushed, anxiety-producing, and often extremely limited when it comes to spending time with their children.  There is an old addage that says, “Pay now, or pay later.”   If we don’t address problems with our children when they’re young, those problems only grow as the child does, and costs can become astronomical in terms of their future.

What Can I Do?

What you can do is start this week out with asking your child about their reading difficulties. Check out his internal information, discover what it’s like to be him in a classroom where he’s feeling less than successful. Some children can communicate what they think is wrong, some may be just as puzzeled about his situation as you.  What is most important, is to listen, and let him know there is help.  You may not know all you need to, but you are willing to join him, make a team effort in getting help, so he can stop feeling bad, frustrated, and lack in confidence due to his inability to read.

Next, you need to get on Little Giant Steps site and investigate the Neuro-Educational Services we provide and why the Neurodevelopmental Approach has the ability to change so many academic lives for students.  The free articles can help you to know what you need to know about development and learning.  The fact is, you are the best teacher, because you are the source of what your child was able to learn from an infant. You will be asked to commit to a program with your child, but if you can change his world for the better, for the rest of his life….. don’t you think it would be worth it?  Listen to other parents who have traveled this journey and succeeded.  So, it’s Monday! Let’s get started!  Your child’s success is waiting for you!

Parents Can Change The Course Of  Their Children’s Academic Life

A mother knows when there is something “unique” about their child and usually is the one who notices the inconsistencies in their learning behaviors. Once in a while a father will recognize something “quirky” or unusual.  Most times parents will experience frustration with their children who are disorganized, forgetful, messy, losing things pretty consistency and struggling in school.  Their frustration comes from what they know ~ their child is smart, but seems just not paying attention, listening, or some think they are rebellious, lazy or spiteful. 

A Neuro-Educational Specialist will tell you, what you are looking at is a child with a disorganized brain, coupled with low processing skills.  Most of these issues are related to a gap in their early development.  There are other issues that carry diagnosis, as well.  What we know is that with intervention at the root cause level in the brain, these symptoms can be addressed by trained parents.  Our job is to help you help your child.  Little Giant Steps has helped thousands of parents over the past twenty years. Parents learn through our online training exactly how to help their children get through this passage of time with the right brain-stimulating activities for addressing the needs to increase the neuro-pathways, organize the lower levels of the brain, and bring their processing abilities up to grade level.

My favorite expression a parent shared, “I now have a different child.  It’s like he’s whole.  He’s calm, enjoying learning for the first time in his life, and we are not always after him to do things, finish things.  Our lives are peaceful, and he has more confidence than we could have ever dreamed of.  He’s curious and excelling in his academics.  Thank you, Little Giant Steps.”

Check out our home page, the articles and investigate how to make your family discover the full potential of a “problem” child.

No More Tears Reading ~ part 2

By Jan Bedell, M.Ed. M.ND, Certified Teacher, and Neuro-Educational Specialist ~ Little Giant Steps

(Remember, keep it fun, exciting as play and don’t underestimate the importance of  INPUT ~ you’ll know when they’ve got it!)

In the previous posting, we talked about the Quick Flash Method.  After you have used this method and your child has read through the Dick and Jane, or similar, books (scroll through suggestions), your child will be ready to read other books using the following method:

• parent reads one paragraph,
• child reads that same paragraph,
• parent reads next paragraph,
• child reads that same paragraph, etc.

In order to ensure the child is following along while you are read, pause every once in a while before reading a word you know he knows and let him say the word.  Also, while the child is reading, don’t listen to him struggle to sound out a word, just tell him the word.  You will find the child’s confidence begin to grow.

Don’t forget to work on auditory processing in the mean time.  You can order a booklet on Auditory Processing online at www.littlegiantsteps.com.  When your child reaches an auditory processing level (digit span) of 6, you can add phonics back into his curriculum with a lot more success and a lot less frustration.

P.S.  If you haven’t tested your child’s processing ability, please order the FREE Auditory Processing Test Kit.  It will give you a snap shot of just how grade appropriate your child is functioning.  If they are 5, they should be able to hold 5 pieces of information and recall it from short term memory. The test tells you how to give this short test, and some of the things to look for.  It will give you a bench mark from which to proceed.  It will also answer questions. If they’re not up to grade level, then it can be an easy fix that will last a lifetime! Please read up on the free articles, too. There are so many helpful things we publish for our audience.  Take advantage of them!

No More Tears Reading ~ Part 1

By Jan Bedell,M.Ed., Certified Neuro-Educational Specialist ~ Little Giant Steps

(Remember: Keep these activities fun, short and stimulating. A parent’s attitude can create a winning attitude for their child. Play with them and create a bond that will last a lifetime! So, for two minutes twice a day, put on your happy face, have a short focused interaction with your child that will be worth a million bucks, and you’ll be amazed how great it will make you feel, as well!)

What is the secret to motivating children to do anything?  They must feel a sense of accomplishment, that they are progressing, and that they are successful in their endeavors. How do you promote these feelings in your children when they are struggling with their schoolwork and they hate math, hate reading, hate writing, etc?  Here are some tips on how to motivate your children to want to learn to read…

Some children have had a negative experience with the phonics approach to reading.  This is often due to poor auditory processing (Free Test Kit Available). One way to build confidence in reading is by using the Quick Flash Method.  You can use flash cards with common words or there are computer programs that teach common words on our website. The object is to use the flash card to produce a quick, intense input to the brain using 8 to 10 words at a time for a short 1-2 minute session.  This session should be almost 100% input – you will tell the child the word every time it is flashed up in front of him, not ask him to output (say) what he doesn’t know. 

After just one week of this kind of input twice a day, find a book in which these 8-10 words are used often.  Dick and Jane books are a good example where the same words are used repetitively.  Highlight in the book, everywhere the 8-10 words you have been flashing appear.  Then read the pages to the child, pausing so the child can read the highlighted words. 

Many parents have found that a child’s self esteem is greatly enhanced when they go from struggling to sound out every word, to reading quickly through the Dick and Jane books.  Don’t worry, they will be able to learn their phonics later and they will have the best of both worlds; a good sight word vocabulary and phonic utilization when their auditory processing comes up.  www.littlegiantsteps.com

Just for fun, you may want to check out Detailed Reading Comprehension!

Helpful Products:

Stretching a hyper-flex ball for a minute two times a day will build up the flexor muscles of the fingers.  Consider products like putty-eye creatures, squirt fish, poppers, puzzibits and button on a string to develop cortical opposition (index and thumb touching pad to pad) which is important for manipulating a pencil.  A “claw” can train muscle memory for holding a pencil correctly. 

Learn more about utilizing developmental advantageous toys to make the best opportunities available for your child as they get ready for their academic future!    Little Giant Steps offers free articles that instruct you in how to make a big difference in your child’s learning experience.  We back up this instruction with a wide array of products to make the most of the opportunitiy you have in helping your child’s brain get organized, insure mind-body connections that in turn gives them improved processing abilities, better thinking and comprehending abilities and most important is neurological efficiency for ease of learning that develops curiosity and a true love of learning!

 I just had to share a few more things from parents about the Early Learning  Foundations program and thought you might like more information about it. There is level 1 an level 2.   You can start your 2 to 5 year-old child on the road to success with this multi-sensory curriculum for early learners, and this program is a real bonus to those with learning difficulties. Best of all it’s fun and the children love it!  We’ve added a new DVD to teach you how to use this program more effectively! All facets of the activities within this program will stimulate the brain to improve and enhance your child’s Auditory, Visual, Tactile and Gross Motor abilities. You’ll be amazed at your child’s new found skills when they become neurologically organized. They will be able to stay on task, follow directions and they will enjoy learning.  Now, let’s listen to the parents:

“My 3 year old grandson absolutely loves to do his Early Learning Foundations each day. In fact, he would like it if I’d let him continue past the two pages you recommend. Each day he wants to do more. He had terrible ear problems between ages 1 & 2. He missed a lot due to not hearing and his speech was distorted. It’s amazing how he’s picking up in his speech now that we’re doing some of the neurodevelopmental activities. Thank you for helping our children!” C.R.  

“My three year old really enjoys working on the activities. One day I got some other activity books out that I had bought at the department store, my little guy said, “no mommy, I want my big school book (meaning the Early Learning Foundations notebook)” K. C.

Come visit the Little Giant Steps Store and see all the wonderful curriculum we’ve developed.

Today on the radio I heard a message from our state govenment educating people about the importance of the the first five years of development in a child’s life.  One statistic quoted states: “Those children entering school lacking learning skills and are behind developmentally, tend to stay “behind academically” throughout their entire school experience.”  On a state-wide basis they said, “If you want to retain a “good life”  and have our youth to grow up to be prosperous and innovative citizens, then we all must make sure they are made ready to learn by the time they go to school. We must invest time and energy in teaching them in their pre-school years.  This was music to my ears!  We all must take heed, as our slippage in our children’s academic abilities are at an all time low. The U.S. A. now ranks 9th in the world!

Little Giant Steps has been in the business in reclaiming academic lives since 1992, and we also noted our pre-schoolers are lacking in neuro-efficiency (ability to receive, comprehend, store and recall information).  When you look back at what the capabilities were in this country and the rigorous educational expectations were, today’s learning abilities pale by comparison.  The good news is that we do have a program to get our two to five year olds on track and it’s called “Early Learning Foundations“!

Here’s a couple of notes we have received ~ From some very satisfied customers:

“I ordered Early Learning Foundations for my “just turned” 4 year old. This is the most incredible curriculum I’ve ever had!! It almost makes me have “momma guilt” for not having it for my two older children. I also ordered ABC’s in a Flash and look forward to using it. K. S. in Spring, TX

“I put the pages from Early Learning Foundations (ELF) in sheet protectors in a large notebook. My three year old really enjoys working on the activities. One day I got some other activity books out that I had bought at the department store; my little guy said, “No mommy, I want my big school book (meaning the ELF notebook)”. K. C. in Katy, TX

Start your 2 to 5 year-old child on the road to success with this multi-sensory curriculum for early learners, and this program is especially helpful for those with learning difficulties. We’ve added a new DVD to teach you how to use this program more effectively! All facets of the activities within this program will stimulate the brain to improve and enhance your child’s Auditory, Visual, Tactile and Gross Motor abilities. You’ll be amazed at your child’s new found skills when they become neurologically organized. They will be able to stay on task, follow directions and they will enjoy learning.

If you discover your child is really struggling with learning to read, there are a few things we suggest you do:

 First, order Little Giant Steps’ Auditory and Visual Test Kits . They’re free! These very simple, yet very important tests will help you to understand the level your child’s processing abilities.  Once that’s established, the test kit will let you know how to work with your child in getting this sorted out, then you can be about the business of helping your child move to a grade level processing and understanding that’s appropriate for his age.

Secondly, depending on the age of your child you may want to check out the neuro-educational materials available that can best help your child achieve the goal of reading effortlessly. In fact, here’s a really good article  (No More Tears Reading Part I) that’s gives you new tools to use in this quest for better reading abilities.  Here’s Part II

3. Phonics are great tools in learning to read….. if you are processing at a level 5 or 6!  What does that mean? It means phonics works best for those who have at least the ability to remember or hold together a series of numbers, pictures, or objects up to 6 items.  If you can retain in short-term memory, after a 3 second exposure, the order of 5 or 6 numbers, pictures or objects that you have either seen or heard and can repeat them after seeing or hearing a sequence in the order given, then phonics will most likely work for you.  But, if you have not developed this ability, then phonics can be a lost cause.  But don’t worry, it can be fixed with a bit of practice and persistence. For children with these kind of low processing abilities, they may do better (while acquiring processing skills) to learn via site words. Little Giant Steps has programs that can be enjoyed by the whole family in developing reading skills. Check them out and then get going!  Summer can end with better reading abilities than it started!

Here’s what a mom told us recently:  ”Wow! Nate is really doing so well with academics now. He is learning his math facts, a new vocabulary word every day and his reading has just soared over the last few weeks. Now that his auditory digit span is up to six, he is able to sound out words phonetically.”