Language is the symbolization of thought. It helps us communicate ideas, wants and needs. When a child is five, they study language at a whole new level and often enter kindergarten. They begin to learn to communicate with other children and begin reading and writing. Parents who recognize learning difficulties that relate to language can help their children in a few different ways. Communication is key. Parents should listen to their children and allow them to get their words out without finishing their sentences for them. Parents and caregivers should also talk to kids in a normal fashion with no baby talk. It's also important to read to kids of this age and ask questions about the story when finished.
Sometimes Attention Deficit Disorder can cause learning difficulties that relate to not being able to finish a project properly or understand a story. Many pre-school and school-age children are easily distracted by what is going on around them or can't focus long enough to finish their work. This ican definitely cause learning difficulties and if this sounds like it could be the problem, parents can talk to a doctor or child psychologist for further direction.
According to the Whole Family website, at five years old children should be able to walk a straight line, climb steps while holding an object, build a tower of blocks, draw lines and color in the lines. Children who are having learning difficulties in these areas may need extra attention and guidance. Parents should practice these skills with their children, using positive encouragement. If the learning difficulties don't seem to get better, seek professional help and possibly ask for a school assessment to see what the delays relate to.
Some children simply need a little extra guidance and practice, as not all children learn at the same pace. However, it's essential to recognize the signs of a possible learning disability. Those children continuously suffering from learning difficulties may need professional help. According to the Baby Center website, many warning signs emerge of a learning disability in children age five and under. Some red flags include delayed speech, pronunciation problems, short attention span and difficulty following directions or using motor skills.