Many children with learning differences struggle in school long before receiving an official diagnosis, affecting their confidence and motivation. It is crucial to identify learning differences early on so both teachers and parents can provide the support they need. Currey Ingram Academy, a private school in Brentwood, covers some common questions related to identifying the signs of a learning difference in the following Q&A:

Q: What are learning differences?

A: Learning differences stem from the inability or difficulty to process information; this prevents a person from learning a skill and using it. Learning differences can affect a child’s ability to read, write, work, and compute, affecting non-verbal skills.

Q: What are reading-related learning differences?

A: Reading-related learning differences (like “dyslexia”) make it challenging for children to understand how letters represent a sound and how letter combinations make a word. They may also have problems with working memory or handling information at the moment.

Children might struggle with:

• Reading at the standard pace
• Understanding what they read
• Accurately recalling what they read
• Making inferences based on the reading
• Spelling words

Q: What are writing-related learning differences?

A: Writing requires complex visual, motor, and information-processing skills.  Writing-related learning differences (also known as “dysgraphia”) may cause the following:

• Slow and difficult handwriting
• Difficult to read handwriting
• Difficulty putting thoughts into writing
• Written work that’s poorly organized or hard to understand
• Problems with spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Q: What are math-related learning differences?

A: A child might have math-related learning differences (often referred to as “dyscalculia”) if he or she finds it difficult to:

• Understand how numbers work in relation to each other
• Calculate and solve math problems
• Memorize basic calculations
• Use math symbols
• Understand word problems
• Organize and record information while solving a math problem

Q: What are learning differences related to non-verbal skills?

A: A child with non-verbal differences like ADHD and ASD (aka “autism spectrum disorder”) may have trouble with the following:

• Interpreting facial expressions and non-verbal cues in social interactions
• Using language appropriately in social situations
• Physical coordination
• Fine motor skills such as writing
• Attention, planning, and organizing
• Higher-level reading comprehension or written expression

Q: What are the signs of learning differences in children?

A: Be on the lookout for these signs:

• Poor mastery of reading, spelling, writing, or math skills expected of their age and grade levels
• Difficulty in understanding and following instructions
• Poor memory
• Poorly-coordinated motor skills
• A tendency to misplace belongings
• Difficulty in understanding the concept of time
• Resistance doing homework or activities that involve reading, writing, or math
• Consistently cannot complete homework assignments without significant help
• Defiant, hostile, or excessively emotional reactions at school or while doing academic work

Q: What can I do as a parent if my child has a learning difference?

A: Children with learning differences might experience performance anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, chronic fatigue, or loss of motivation. Some children might act out to divert attention from the challenges they face in school.

Learning differences must be addressed as early as possible to prevent more severe issues later. As a parent, you might want to consider the following:

• Seek help. Hire a tutor or other trained professional so they can help your child improve academic, organizational, and study skills.
• Arrange for accommodations. Talk to your child’s school or teacher(s) and see if your child can have more time to complete assignments or tests, be seated near the teacher to promote attention, use computer applications that support writing, or listen to audiobooks to supplement reading.
• Consider therapy options. Occupational therapy might improve your child’s motor skills, while speech therapy can help address language skills. At Currey Ingram Academy, we can provide an assessment to see where your child falls within the many learning differences to prepare a plan for growth and improvement. Click here to schedule an assessment.
• Enroll your child in a school focused on helping children with learning differences. Currey Ingram Academy is a private school in Brentwood that empowers students with learning differences to reach their fullest potential. The school’s life-changing, personalized instruction will help your child thrive and succeed beyond the four walls of a classroom.

Currey Ingram Academy is a private school in Brentwood that supports and empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential – academically and socially – within an environment that fosters holistic student development. Get in touch by calling (615) 507-3173.

If you’re planning to send your child to a boarding school in the South, Currey Ingram Academy is always an excellent option. But why, you might ask, should you consider a boarding school as opposed to a traditional school? Let’s look at some of the advantages.

Learning focus. Boarding schools like Currey Ingram Academy are home to highly-trained, passionate educators that are committed to meeting the instructional and learning needs of their students. In a boarding program, that support extends beyond the classroom and into the residential life environment.

Life skills training. Children who enroll at a boarding school learn to be responsible and develop the necessary life, social, and self-advocacy skills earlier than their peers in traditional schools. They develop self-sufficiency, self-confidence, perseverance, and resilience – all of which will continue to be beneficial as they move on to college life and the world beyond it.

Diversity. Boarding school students come from a wide range of backgrounds, allowing children to see life from different perspectives. This helps them learn acceptance and empathy.

Positive peer influence. According to a study conducted by The Association of Boarding Schools, 75% of boarding school students say that their peers are more motivated to succeed versus only 49% of public school students polled with the same question. Boarding school students work hard and inspire their peers to do the same.

College life transition. Currey Ingram Academy knows that there are students who might not be academically, emotionally, or socially ready for the typical college experience. Open to all students who have graduated high school, Currey Ingram Academy’s Launch Program provides a postgraduate year where students acquire the skills they need for college success. This stand-alone program includes coursework to better prepare students for college and a career, a leadership course, work experience, outdoor education experience, and dual credit opportunities. There also is an opportunity to participate in the Residential Life boarding program on campus to give students a taste of independence.

Holistic development.  Apart from social and extracurricular opportunities, after-school activities, and well-loved traditions, Currey Ingram Academy has a comprehensive and inclusive Fine Arts Program, offering students the opportunity to participate in a variety of performing and visual arts experiences. They develop new skills, discover their passions, and express their creativity. 

Solid athletics program. Mustang Athletics at Currey Ingram Academy offers both individual and team sports to students in grades K-12. All students are encouraged to participate in and/or support the school’s athletics program.

Sporting events are held in the boarding school’s state-of-the-art athletics facilities and fields, drawing hundreds of visitors to the sprawling campus each year.

Studying at a boarding school like Currey Ingram Academy has both immediate and long-term benefits. By sending your child to one of the best boarding schools in the South, not only will they receive an exceptional education, but they will also be given the opportunity to become the best versions of themselves.Currey Ingram Academy is a boarding school in the South that supports and empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential – academically and socially – within an environment that fosters holistic student development. Get in touch by calling (615) 507-3173.

From the euphoric, first-day “high,” students eventually feel their energy and enthusiasm waning mid-semester. It takes longer to complete tasks, time management begins to falter, and grades start to dip.

Brentwood private school Currey Ingram Academy shares tips on how you can help your child beat the mid-semester slump.

Improve time management skills

Help your child become more realistic with how he or she uses time by asking him or her to estimate how much time is needed to complete a certain task and compare this to the actual amount of time it takes. Let’s say your child thinks the estimated time (ET) to finish reading a chapter of a book is 15 minutes; he or she should then keep track of the actual time (AT) it takes. Students with poor time management skills often have disparate ETs and ATs. The closer these times become, the more they are able to realistically manage their time.

Teach them to prioritize

Students might feel overwhelmed with all the things they have to do: homework, projects, school play rehearsals, after-school sports practice, playdates, and more. Teach your child to identify which of these are more important to them than the others; what’s considered important should be prioritized. If your child has an upcoming exam, a paper to write, and a scheduled dinner with classmates, ask him or her to make a priority list. In doing this, he or she may realize that there’s not enough time — or energy — to do everything and decide to cancel what’s least important. 

Break tasks into bite-sized pieces

Big projects can be daunting and your students might be at a loss on how to even begin. To overcome that feeling of helplessness, teach your child to break tasks into smaller pieces. If a major presentation is due in three weeks, map out which tasks should be completed on a daily and weekly basis. Put this plan in a calendar and commit to it. Not only will the presentation be more manageable; ticking off to-do’s every day will also give your child a sense of accomplishment and a well-deserved confidence boost.

Beat the blues with rewards

When schoolwork seems endless and there are long nights of studying at hand, it’s best to give your child something to look forward to. Ask your child what rewards excite him or her; it could be a video game session, a movie break, a favorite snack, or a favorite meal. The reward could be given after completing all reading assignments, for example. This helps break the monotony of studying and can better prepare the child for a more successful adulthood.

Meditation helps

Meditation can help your child relax. Ask your child to lie on his or her back or sit still for five minutes. Have him or her place their hands on their belly to feel their stomach rise and lower as you instruct them to inhale through the nose for four counts, hold their breath for four counts, then slow exhale for another four counts. Repeat this process for five minutes or longer, as long as the entire exercise is relaxing and not causing extra tension. Ask your child to ignore any external thoughts they may have and to just focus on the breathing.

It’s not unusual for some students to feel anxious and stressed mid-semester, especially during unprecedented situations like what we are currently facing. Be there to help your child build the mental fortitude to believe that this season will pass and he or she will successfully overcome it. 

A private school in Brentwood, Currey Ingram Academy supports and empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential – academically and socially – within an environment that fosters holistic student development. Get in touch by calling (615) 507-3173.