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Kindergarten and Elementary Issues

Weigh the pros and cons of preschool, full day kindergarten and other issues affecting our youngest learners. Learn what can be done to help your child prepare to enter school, boost confidence, and encourage reading at the grade school level.

View the most popular articles in Kindergarten and Elementary Issues:

<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Understanding ADHD in Children: Signs, Diagnosis, and Support Strategies
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Understanding ADHD in Children: Signs, Diagnosis, and Support Strategies
This comprehensive article explores the complex nature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, providing insights into its symptoms, diagnosis process, and effective support strategies. From recognizing early signs to navigating the diagnostic journey, parents will gain valuable knowledge to help their child thrive. Expert insights, real-life examples, and practical tips empower readers to create a supportive environment that meets the unique needs of children with ADHD.
iStockPhotos/Md Saiful Islam Khan

Attention Deficit Disorder is a common disorder that afflicts both children and adults. I have taught children who have been diagnosed with ADHD. I also have managed adult employees who had ADHD as well. So, here are the questions I would ask if I thought my child might have Attention Deficit Disorder.

Disclaimer: I have researched answers to these questions that link to or refer back to authoritative sources. However, I am not a healthcare professional. So, always consult a healthcare professional with your specific concerns and questions.

How do you define Attention Deficit Disorder?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of , , and that interfere with daily functioning and development.

According to the American Psychiatric Association's , there are three main subtypes of ADHD:

Inattentive presentation

In this presentation, symptoms of inattention are looked for, such as difficulty paying attention, being easily distracted, and frequently making careless mistakes in their schoolwork or other activities.

Hyperactive-impulsive presentation

In this presentation, children will display symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as fidgeting, excessive talking, difficulty waiting for their turn, and interrupting others.

Combined presentation

In this subtype, children display symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

This video offers an overview of ADHD in children.

What are the signs

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Overcoming Common Reading Difficulties
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Overcoming Common Reading Difficulties
Follow the story of Sarah, a fictional character who overcame common reading difficulties with the help of the three cueing system. This blog post explores the advantages and disadvantages of the three cueing system and provides strategies for implementing it effectively.

Learning to read can be a challenging task for many children. Some children may struggle with decoding words, while others may have trouble with comprehension. Luckily, there are effective methods for teaching reading, such as the three-cueing system.

Sarah's Story

In this blog post, we will follow the fictional story of a young girl named Sarah, who overcame common reading difficulties with the help of the three cueing system. Sarah was a bright and curious child who loved to explore the world around her. However, when it came to reading, she struggled. She would often get frustrated when she couldn't decode a word or understand the meaning of a sentence. Finally, her parents and teachers noticed her difficulties and decided to seek help.

The Struggle to Read

Sarah's journey to learning to read was not an easy one. She struggled with decoding words and often guessed the meaning of sentences based on the context. Her parents and teachers tried various methods to help her, but nothing worked. As a result, Sarah became increasingly frustrated and started to lose confidence in herself. However, things began to change when Sarah's teacher introduced her to the three-cueing system.

A reading expert explains how we can help struggling readers.

The Three Cueing System

Sarah's teacher explained that the three cueing system was a method of teaching reading that focused on three types of cues: meaning, structure, and

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">What Are the Top 5 Trends in Elementary School Education?
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What Are the Top 5 Trends in Elementary School Education?
Education is constantly growing, changing, and evolving. Keep reading to learn about five of the most current trends in elementary education.

Education is constantly evolving and being reformed. Over the centuries, as the world has changed, so has the focus of childhood education. Today, early childhood education is aimed at introducing key subjects and core concepts that will be developed later in the child鈥檚 educational career but there is always debate about which educational methods are the best. Keep reading to learn about some of the top current trends in elementary school education.

Trend #1: Promoting Inquiry-Based Learning to Develop a Love for Science

No matter where you send your child to school, you are probably familiar with STEM education. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and is it an active style of education that focuses particularly on creating a student-centered learning environment. As part of STEM education, students engage in hands-on activities that use and develop their skills for questioning, problem-solving, and teamwork all the while addressing relevant real-life issues. In a STEM educational environment, teachers fill the role of a classroom facilitator 鈥 they act as a guide to students, helping them through the problem-solving process and creating lessons and projects that guide students toward proficiency in the content of the curriculum. The goal of STEM education is to develop students into becoming effective communicators and logical thinkers 鈥 they should also be proficient and literate in science, mathematics, and technology.

This video explains inquiry-based learning.

There is a great deal of

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Gifted and Talented Kindergarteners: Right or Wrong?
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Gifted and Talented Kindergarteners: Right or Wrong?
Should kindergarteners take admission exams and IQ tests to demonstrate their "gifted" abilities? Learn about the growing trend and the ramifications of gifted early education.

Every parent believes his child is the smartest in the class, but what happens when you really do have a kid who is head-and-shoulders above the rest academically? Most teachers and parents believe that to adequately challenge these children, there must be accelerated programs to accommodate them. Hence, the gifted and talented program was born.

Children who belonged in this upper echelon were usually identified in the schools, by the teachers who worked with them every day. However, many parents also got quite busy behind the scenes, ensuring their children met the requirements for special programs that would increase their odds of success later in life. In fact, numerous children are receiving preparation for gifted and talented programs long before their feet even touch the hallowed halls of academia.

Track for Success

According to an article in , many residents of the Big Apple are whipping their children into academic shape as early as their preschool years. The competition for the limited number of slots in selective elementary schools across the city has led parents into a frenzy of preparation shortly after children learn to walk and talk. It is not unusual for parents to hire tutors and test their children's IQs long before enrolling them in New York schools.

Because the competition at many of these stellar schools is so stiff, few will look at children who

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Promoting Positive Behaviors in Elementary Ages
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Promoting Positive Behaviors in Elementary Ages
Learn how you and your child鈥檚 public school can foster positive behavior that will lead to long-term benefits, both academically and socially.

The elementary school ages are considered to be the fundamental grades and stages of development. With this in mind, it is important that children are taught positive behaviors and habits early in life. By teaching children positive behaviors at a young age, kids are more able to understand and engage in long-term attitudes and actions that will guide them toward future success. To encourage students, and to teach all kids positive behaviors, elementary schools across the country have implemented positive behavior programs to improve student awareness, knowledge, and development.

Positive Behavior Programs in Public Elementary Schools

Minnesota School-Wide Behavior Program

While many local schools and smaller communities have adopted behavior programs, the state of Minnesota has established a larger state-wide agenda to enhance the education of positive student behaviors. According to the Minnesota school records, the positive behavior program is used to help all students in all school environments, including behaviors in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, and so forth. As Minnesota school experts explain, 鈥淪chools that implement school-wide positive behavior interventions and support are schools that have decided that their current discipline process is not effective in helping students to change their behaviors.鈥 To change and improve student behaviors, Minnesota schools identify specific behavioral problems, find ways to reinforce and reward positive behavior alternatives, and then consistently enforce meaningful consequences when students choose to misbehave.

This video looks at good and bad examples of positive behavior in school.

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麻豆果冻传媒 Articles

Vouchers for Special Education: Are They a Good Idea?
Vouchers for Special Education: Are They a Good Idea?
The article examines the pros and cons of using school vouchers for special education students. It discusses how vouchers can provide more educational options for families but also raises concerns about accountability, funding for public schools, and the implementation of special education laws in private school settings.
What is the Connection Between Home Values and School Performance?
What is the Connection Between Home Values and School Performance?
This article explores the relationship between school performance and home values in neighborhoods. It discusses studies showing correlations between school expenditures, ratings, and housing prices, highlighting how this connection affects families' choices and contributes to educational disparities between communities.
Understanding Rubrics
September 27, 2024
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.