Many modern parents begin to worry if their child is slow at learning. To start with, parents and teachers need to refrain from negative comments such as labelling the child as ‘dumb’, ‘loser’, or any such absurd monikers. Children are super-sensitive and they depend on feedbacks from grownups to set their little lives in order. Your negativity further affects the child’s learning process as he begins to believe in his inability to learn.

Who are ‘Slow Learners’?

Slow learners are children taking a little more time than others do to grasp a concept. A child who takes more time and focus to think than others his age is said to be a slow learner. This child will hit the basic developmental stages just like his peers, but at a significantly slower rate. Nevertheless, this development will be relatively even.

Characteristics Of Slow Learners

Slow learners may exhibit any or all of the below mentioned characterstics:

  1. Developmental: The child may have some speech problems, or underdeveloped language patterns. He may also poor memory and might take a number of repetitive sessions to learn something
  2. Social: Such children may be seen hanging around with younger age groups. Immature social behaviour, a sense of poor judgement, being to himself, and inability to express are also observed
  3. Personal: A slow learner may get frustrated easily, and may display emotions anxiety, aggression, lower self esteem, and emotional instability
  4. Learning: Slow learners take time to process information, and sometimes grasp concepts only when linked to old. They do show proficiency and focus in some subjects or tasks, but may require additional practice to learn and practice new skills
Difference Between ‘Learning Disabled’ and ‘Slow Learners’

A child who is a ‘slow learner’ may be significantly slower in reaching milestones for his age, but his development will get even. He will exhibit thinking capacities that are lower from children his age, but will have proficiency over certain tasks and skills. A slow learner – under an able guide, parent or a teacher can show significant improvement. On the other hand, a child who has learning disabilities will exhibit specific difficulties making the learning process difficult. There will be a gap between the child’s potential to achieve and his actual achievements. These children need a conducive environment along with a right help to grow and develop appropriate academic levels.

Why Is My Child A Slow Learner?

There can be several reasons why your child is finding it difficult to understand the subjects that others pick up easily. Parents and teachers must have the patience of repeating the idea clearly as many times required for the child to understand. Maybe, it’s something at school or at home that is affecting your child’s concentration.

The key issues that affect the concentration of a child include:

  • A childhood tragedy
  • Medical issues such as a brain injury
  • Sibling issues
  • Open arguments between parents; domestic violence
  • Pampering

Once you are able to find the problem affecting the concentration of your child, do take the steps to resolve it. Parents may have compatibility problems, but take care to limit the arguments out of sight of the child. Your little boy or girl may be sad because of a friendship issue. It is important for parents to establish trust and friendship with a child. In addition, you must not make the mistake of trying to force study lessons. You have to be careful, sensitive, and caring to help your child keep up with the same pace as others.

5 Tips To Deal and Help Slow Learners

If you are dealing with a slow learner, the below tips could prove helpful to you:

  1. Praise and reward: At every accomplishment, however small that may be to you, praise the child and offer rewards on certain difficult achievements.
  2. Allow Crutches: Allow your child to use crutches – like post-it on the desktop, calculators, reminder slips, taped readalongs and markers.
  3. Be Oral: Be more verbal and oral with your child, give him assignments that are easy and in tune with his competency.
  4. Realistic Expectations: As a parent, one expects a child to shine in everything he does. Humanly, that is not possible. There is nothing wrong in expecting, but they should be realistic enough.
  5. Chat with the Teacher: Teachers have a major role to play in raising kids with slow thinking. Talk to the teachers so as to effectively sync in the school and home-teaching methods.
Is Slow Learning ADHD?

Put your mind to rest because there is a lot you do not know. In fact, there is a lot your doctor does not know even. Make it a point to ask the doctor whether he is aware of the deathbed confession of Dr. Leon Eisenberg. He was the so-called discoverer of this ‘disorder’, which identifies the natural playfulness of a little child as a psychological symptom. Just look up the internet for ‘Leon Eisenberg deathbed confession ADHD’ and you will get the truth.
Yes, in his last interview, he said ADHD is a ‘FICTIOUS DISEASE’. You can take a printout of the articles from reputed online medical sites and show it to the doctor who is busy prescribing mind-altering medication to a child! It should be a lesson and eye-opener to what is going wrong in the medical industry itself.

Autism In Slow Learners

Many doctors also love to diagnose ‘autism’ in slow learners. Yes, some children do have trouble coping up with the real world. However, that can be simply because your child does not find the real world fascinating! Autism is a medical condition and slow learners need not have this issue.

Watch the Environment

Maybe, parents should ask themselves the question whether they do their best in creating an encouraging ambience for the child. Do you argue heavily in front of your little one? Did your little child have to witness domestic violence from a very young age? Do you pamper your child a little too much? The answers to these questions may help you find a solution to why your child is a slow learner.

In today’s competitive world, schools place huge importance on grades. However, good parenting involves taking away the stress of competition from their little heads. Always allow a balance of recreation and studies. Do not insist your child to study all the time. It is crucial to encourage your kid to go out and play! For short breaks, you can arrange video games as a reward system. Tell your kid that you will allow him to play the game if he completes the homework fast. Such incentives always work wonders!