Learning disability or leaning disorder (learning difficulty to some) is a neurological disorder usually caused by an unknown factor or factors. In simpler words, learning disability results from a difference in the way a person’s brain is “wired.” A person with learning disability or LD has difficulty learning in a typical manner. They have trouble performing specific types of skills or completing tasks if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.
Children with learning disabilities are as smart as or smarter than their peers. Learning disability is not an indication of a level of intelligence. Learning disability is not curable, there’s no medicine for it. It is a lifelong issue. But with the proper intervention and support children with LD can succeed in school and go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life. Take Albert Einstein for example, Einstein could not read until he was 9 but he formulates the Relativity Theory. Walt Disney, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, Whoopi Goldberg, General George Patton and many other successful individuals have learning disabilities but it does not affect their ultimate success.
Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve such success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.
Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings, professors from University of Nevada-Reno identify the seven key areas in which children might learn differently. These seven key areas are talking and listening, reading, writing, math, organizing skills, social skills, and motor skills.
Here are some suggested toys for children with LD that would help in them in learning skills associated with each of these areas:
Talking and Listening LD
Kids with Talking and Listening LD know what they want to say but they have problems on how to convey their thoughts. They may also have problem in understanding the meaning of the words other people say to them, and they sometimes interchange the meaning of one word for another.
Toys that enhance critical thinking and the ability to make predictions, understand cause and effect, and draw conclusions are good for children with talking and listening LD. While playing such games, parents can encourage children to think aloud to guide their reasoning. These can help children organize their thoughts and to articulate them more coherently and to understand better what others are saying to them.
Reading LD
Reading LD is commonly known as Dyslexia. Kids with Reading difficulties can be overwhelmed by being exposed to too much written words at a time. Usually, they skip sentences when reading because they see words are moving around the pages. They may also have problems in reading the alphabet or to sound out words.
Educational toys like Alphabet Puzzle or the See & Spell toys can help overcome this learning difficulty. Look also for toys that could make spelling and reading into a fun experience. Make sure to focus on one word at a time and break the words down into letters to keep children from being confused by rows of jumbled letters. While using such products, encourage children to talk about what they are reading to check comprehension.
Math LD
Math LD is also known as dyscalculia. Children with Math LD or dyscalculia have problem with what numbers and numerical symbols mean. They also have difficulty memorizing and understanding math facts. On the most basic level, they struggle with the patterns that govern math concepts.
Toys that emphasize patterns like shape puzzles, and blocks can give a child the experience and confidence with patterns needed to succeed in math. For example, toys likes Number Puzzle can give a child practice with shapes and logic patterns. Remember, adult participation in a family setting using educational games is important in the learning process.
Writing LD
Writing LD is also called dysgraphia. Kids with Writing LD struggle with many of the same problems as children with Talking and Listening LD. They have great ideas in their heads, but have trouble expressing themselves in writing with neat handwriting and good grammar and spelling.
The most advisable toy for children with writing LD is a fun chalkboard or dry-erase board. This could take some pressure off by making it more fun and entertaining. The children can also erase or restart their sentences or words over and over until they got it right.
Organizing Skills LD
They cannot keep track of their things, they often loss or misplace something. Most of the children with Organizing Skills LD cannot keep their desk or room in order. Puzzles or other toys with pieces that can only go one way can subtly teach such children habits of organization. Giving them fun organizer that keep track of their responsibilities and be rewarded for good habits and behaviors can encourage good habits.
Social Skills LD
Children with Social Skills LD have are not comfortable in interacting with other people. They tend to misunderstand facial clues and gestures and they make expressions and gestures that do not convey what they actually feel.
Role-playing toys is great to help children practice appropriate social behaviors in a safe environment from which the stress of real-life effects has been removed. Cook and Tea Set, dollhouses play sets and figurines, and dress-up clothes and props can all be vehicles for imaginative play that practices effective social interaction.
Motor Skills LD
Children with Motor Skills LD struggle with both gross motor skills and fine motor skills. They have problem in balancing, jumping, lacing strings through holes, holding a pencil correctly or even running.
Vehicle toys like Push and Pull cars can develop gross motor skills. Toys like lacing beads, building blocks or art sets can develop fine motor skills.
