Alternative, creative and fun strategies to support your child’s learning at home when they have moderate learning difficulties.
Highlights
Children with these difficulties may struggle with various skills, such as reading, writing, math, memory, and attention. Common symptoms include: Read more.
The key is recognising that with the right support and encouragement, children with moderate learning difficulties can thrive and succeed. Read more.
10 ideas to support your child with MLD at home. Read more.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
To all my Inspired parents, carers and guardians. As you are well aware, parenting is a rewarding journey, but when you have a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the path may feel a bit different.
As a parent, you have a crucial role to play in helping your child reach their full potential. In this blog post, we'll explore moderate learning difficulties (MLD); we will also uncover some alternative, creative, and fun strategies to support your child's learning at home.
Before we dive into the creative strategies to support your child, it's essential to understand what MLD entails. Moderate learning difficulties refer to a range of cognitive challenges that can impact a child's ability to acquire and process information at a typical pace.
Children with these difficulties may struggle with various skills, such as reading, writing, math, memory, and attention. Common symptoms include:
Difficulties in grasping abstract concepts
Slower processing of information
Challenges in organising tasks
A need for more time and support to complete assignments
While the specifics vary from child to child, the key is recognising that with the right support and encouragement, children with moderate learning difficulties can thrive and succeed.
10 Ideas to Support Your Child with MLD at Home
1. Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Many children with MLD are sensitive to their surroundings. Design a sensory-friendly space at home where your child can feel comfortable.
Incorporate soft lighting, calming colours, and tactile elements like squishy cushions or textured rugs. This can help reduce anxiety and make learning more enjoyable.
2. Use Visual Timetable
Visual timetables are fantastic tools for children with learning difficulties. Create a daily or weekly schedule using pictures or icons to represent activities.
A good tip is photographing your child’s items (their toothbrush to represent brushing their teeth; picture of grandma and grandad for their weekend visit etc.) you could do this with them for another creative activity you can do together.
Having a visual roadmap helps your child understand what to expect, reducing anxiety and promoting independence.
3. Incorporate Hands-On Learning
Children often learn best when they can touch, feel, and manipulate objects. Use everyday items to teach concepts. For example, you can use coins to teach counting or measuring cups for fractions. Hands-on activities engage multiple senses, making learning more accessible.
4. Make Learning a Game
Learning doesn't have to be boring! Turn lessons into games. For example, use flashcards for a memory game, or create a scavenger hunt to teach vocabulary. Gamifying education adds an element of fun and motivation to the learning process.
The best part about it, hearing your child laugh and smile with excitement.
5. Explore Technology
Yes, screen time! Technology can be a powerful ally in teaching children with SEN. There are numerous apps and educational games designed to cater to diverse learning needs.
Tablets and interactive whiteboards can make learning more engaging and interactive. Despite the bad press, screen time can actually be a positive aspect of your child’s life.
6. Tap into Your Child's Interests
Children with learning difficulties often have unique interests. Use these passions as a gateway to learning.
If your child loves dinosaurs, turn a science lesson into a dinosaur exploration adventure. Tailoring lessons to their interests can boost motivation and engagement.
7. Art and Creativity
Artistic expression can be a wonderful outlet for children with MLD. Encourage drawing, painting, or crafting as a way to explore creativity and self-expression. Art also helps with fine motor skills development.
And if you are anything like me, just take a deep breath and don’t worry about the mess… there will be mess, a lot of it! Get your plastic mats and overalls and let your child enjoy themselves.
8. Cooking Together
Cooking is an excellent way to teach practical skills like measuring, following instructions, and even math concepts like fractions.
Not only do you get to experiment and try new flavours, you can share family recipes and share a bit of history. The best bit, it's a tasty way to bond with your child. Enjoy!
9. Storytelling and Role-Playing
Narrative skills are vital for communication and cognitive development. Encourage storytelling and role-playing to enhance language skills. You can take turns creating stories or act out scenarios with your child.
Show them images and drawings and get them to explain what is happening in the picture. Encourage your child to develop their response with questions like: What happened next? Why did they do that? Where did they go next? When did they do that? How did that happen?
10. Celebrate Small Wins
Learning can be challenging for children with SEN, so it's essential to celebrate their progress, no matter how small.
Use a sticker chart, a high-five, or a special treat as a reward for their efforts. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation. Remember sometimes it is simple, inexpensive things that can mean the most.
Celebrate with some one on one time with your child, take them for a hot chocolate, go for a drive or watch a movie together.
In conclusion, supporting a child with moderate learning difficulties at home requires patience, creativity, and a lot of love. By creating a nurturing environment, tailoring lessons to their needs and interests, and making learning an enjoyable experience, you can empower your child to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is a reason to celebrate on this extraordinary journey of growth and development.
For more ideas, check out our blog '10 Strategies to Help You Navigate Learning Difficulties at Home'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are moderate learning difficulties?
Moderate learning difficulties, often abbreviated as MLD, refer to a range of challenges that can affect a child's ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. These difficulties typically fall within the middle of the spectrum of learning needs, with some students requiring more support than those with mild difficulties but less than those with severe or profound impairments.
It's important to note that each child is unique, and their learning difficulties may manifest differently. Additionally, children with moderate learning difficulties often benefit from personalised support, accommodations, and interventions tailored to their specific needs.
What should I do if I suspect my child has a moderate learning difficulty?
What causes moderate learning difficulties?
Are moderate learning difficulties a disability?
What are the symptoms of moderate learning difficulties?
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