OPINION: Why is your child struggling at school?
FAIRLAND – An educational psychologist is inviting parents and teachers to a discussion about learning difficulties.
Dr Shirley Kokot, Educational Psychologist writes:
Many parents and teachers are staggered by the high numbers of children in our schools who show learning difficulties.
A research paper published nearly a decade ago put a tentative number of 51 per cent of children showing serious problems in two or more learning areas, with the most prevalent concerns being inattentiveness, difficulties with focusing and reading.
Added to this, we are all aware of the number of children taking drugs to try and cope better with the demands of school.
To try and help inform parents and teachers of the possible reasons underlying this ‘epidemic’ and create a forum where people can voice their concerns and initiate discussions, we are arranging an evening at Radford House School in Fairland at 6.30pm on 20 and 21 May.
This letter serves as an open invitation for all those interested.
The evening will proceed with a talk focusing on possible causes of learning difficulties after which the floor will be open to questions and debate.
It really is time for communities to address whether something positive can be done about bright, capable children who should be succeeding at school but are not.
More information about the evening can be obtained from Colleen, at 011 4781864 or Mike at 082 4144814.
