Deciding which teaching strategy is right for your child is not always easy. Here are some guidelines you can follow to help you choose which teaching strategies are right for your child:
- Beware of simple solutions.
- Ask questions.
- Has the strategy been studied?
- Who has been helped by this strategy?
- Can this strategy be harmful to my child?
- Trust your instincts.
Because children learn in a number of different ways, there is no single method for helping all children with learning disabilities. Good teaching is intentional, systematic, and takes time.
It is important to know whether the strategy you are considering has been effective with other children. Some of the questions you may want to ask are:
Qualified researchers who will not profit by the results should conduct the study. The results should appear in respected magazines or journals, not as advertisements.
The strategy should be helpful to children with learning disabilities of the same age, sex, and ability as your child.
Consider whether the strategy will make your child feel comfortable and more independent or whether using it will make her feel embarrassed and different.
Many people may offer suggestions for helping your child, including teachers, therapists, and other parents. Listen to what others suggest but remember that you know your child best. Gather information, ask questions, and then use those strategies that seem to be most appropriate for your child.
