I feel, hes trying his best but its just not working for him. I dont want him to get discouraged. It amazes me because he can do difficult algebra problems but simple ones he struggles on. Its like he thinks they are harder than what they are.
What just isn't working? Homeschool? Public School? Are things ok now?
Lots of kids struggle with the simpler problems. Two things are going on -
1) the simple problems call for memorization, and that is difficult for almost all kids. Becoming emotionally disciplined enough to do rote memorization is an important part of growing. (Notice I didn't say the only or even the major, just essential.)
2)It's difficult to work 'below one's readiness level' - that is, it's easier to focus on a job that isn't boring. Try it yourself, and if you are like most people, you will see. A great example is typing a posting on a numeric keypad on a cell phone. Easy to understand how to do it - just press the numbers several times to scroll to the letter you want, right? But very hard to do, and hard to motivate oneself to do as well. This is particularly true for kids with ADHD issues.
Super book recommendation for kids who have to try a little harder to let their light shine:
Transforming the Difficult Child Workbook: An Interactive Guide to The Nurtured Heart Approach by Lisa Bravo, Howard Glasser and Joann Bowdidge (Jan 12, 2008)
-goes with -
Notching Up the Nurtured Heart Approach - The New Inner Wealth Initiative for Educators - Perfect Paperback (Jan. 23, 2011) by Howard Glasser with Melissa Block,
Best Wishes,
Grinity
