Nurturing Abilities in Kids with Challenges

For Homeschoolers and Parents: Tips for Raising Kids with Learning Disabilities

Contents

1. Rebuilding Relationships and Learning Disabilities
2. Compromise, Parenting and Learning Disabilities
3. Instilling Motivation with Learning Disabilities
4. Solutions to Problems
5. Guiding Teens with Learning Disabilities
6. Rhythms, Music, Dancing for Kids of All Abilities
7. Nurturing and Learning Disabilities
8. Developing a Stable Home Life
9. Academic Benefits of Learning Rhythmic Dances
10. Social Impact of Learning Disabilities
11. Teaching Kids How to Be Helpful
12. Learning Disabilities and Charity in Attitude

13. Being Responsible for Kids
14. Nurturing Abilities in Kids with Challenges
15. Learning Disabilities and Enthusiastic Music Time
16. Attitude Makes a Difference with Kids
17. Wisdom and Learning Disabilities
18. Rhymes for Remembering
19. Encouraging Each Step of Growth
20. Other Strengths When Challenged
21. Helping Kids Get Along in the Family
22. Kids Learn About Sharing
23. Practice Dressing for Winter

14. Nurturing Abilities in Kids with Challenges by Susan Kramer

Here are some ways to help your kids discover their natural abilities when they have learning disabilities in some area or areas, and having found their special abilities, then nurturing that development.

Go with your child on outings on a regular basis and notice what particularly interests them. What we're interested in most likely is what we'll put the energy in, to excel over time. Observe the child's inclination rather than try to push into a certain area. Maybe the inclination will be toward something you have not thought about.

Take trips to musical or orchestral concerts that welcome kids in the audience, perhaps where they can go backstage afterward and look at the instruments up close and maybe talk to the musicians. This can be a real inspiration to a child. If the child wants to try out an instrument let them - nurture their interest by finding ways they can take lessons and gain performing experience in a group!

A student who struggles in the academic classroom may find expression in musicality or kinetic movement such as rhythm and dance. And these are areas a child can really add their creative inspiration to over time. And can in fact lead to performing and teaching careers, or at least an enjoyable lifelong passion and hobby.

Isn't learning as a kid about getting an education to be a successful and self-supporting adult?

Nurturing your children in their interests to find their special skills brings about the reward of seeing that having learning disabilities doesn't necessarily mean chances for success as an adult are ruled out.

Another tactic to find kids areas of interest and abilities is to notice what activities they are drawn to in a public entertainment area such as in some large warehouse stores such as AKIA. Kids have the opportunity to do physical activities, play games, do table crafts, practice with simple instruments while their elders shop - or watch through the glass walls. When faced with a plethora of choice kids may try out activities that are new to them, and find a new interest or hobby.

Childhood is a time for all kids, even those with labeled disabilities, to be exposed to a large variety of activities, so that their untapped abilities may be discovered and nurtured. What we are good at we excel in and if we have not been exposed to many avenues we may not find what can really fulfill us, and lead to productive lives as adults.

Article by Susan Kramer

Resource texts for parents, teachers and homeschooling families: