There are often challenges in early childhood development, especially in terms of learning. Younger children across the world often have challenges that result in them having difficulty learning in the same way others do. In Europe, for example, around 15% of school children have special academic needs. These barriers to learning are important to understand, especially from a teacher or parent perspective, in order to help children achieve their goals.
What are Barriers to Learning?
Barriersto learning range from Severe and Complex learning difficulties at the low endof the spectrum to Giftedness at the high end of the spectrum. Between thesetwo extremes will be a range of more specific learning difficulties whichinclude Dyslexia, Dyspraxia (DCD), Dyscalculia, ADD and ADHD; conditionsnowadays common in our homes and classrooms.
ADHD
Inprimary school, increasing workloads can be hard for students to keep up with.For some kids, this is when symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit HyperactivityDisorder) first become noticeable – and teachers may see signs before parentsdo.
Hereare some ways ADHD can impact learning in primary school:
- Starts assignments but doesn’t complete them
- Is always talking
- Doesn’t do well in groups
- Appears to be daydreaming during classes
Researchindicates that from 30-50 percent of children with ADHD also have a specificlearning disability, and that the two conditions can interact to make learningextremely challenging.
ADHDis a condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool andearly school years. It is hard for these children to control their behaviourand/or pay attention. The principle characteristics of ADHD are inattention,hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Thereare three subtypes of ADHD recognized by professionals:
- Predominantly hyperactive or impulsive – does not showsignificant inattention;
- Predominantly inattentive – does not show significanthyperactive-impulsive behaviour;
- Combined – displays both inattentive andhyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculiais a specific learning disability in math. Kids with dyscalculia may havedifficulty understanding number-related concepts or using symbols or functionsneeded for success in mathematics.
Dyscalculiais a lifelong condition that makes it hard for kids to perform math-relatedtasks. It’s not as well known or understood as dyslexia. But some expertsbelieve it’s just as common.
Hereare some of the possible signs of dyscalculia:
- Has trouble learning to count and skips over numbers long after kids the same age can remember numbers in the right order.
- Struggles to recognize patterns, such as smallest to largest or tallest to shortest.
- Has trouble recognizing number symbols (knowing that “7” means seven).
- Doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of counting. For example, when asked for five blocks, she just hands you an armful, rather than counting them out.
Testingfor dyscalculia should be done as part of a full evaluation. That way, any otherlearning and attention issues can be picked up at the same time.
Dyslexia
Dyslexiais a lifelong condition that makes it difficult for people to read. It’s themost common learning issue, although it’s not clear what percentage of kidshave it.
Someexperts believe the number is between 5 and 10 percent. Others say as many as17 percent of people show signs of reading issues. The reason for the widerange is that experts may define dyslexia in different ways.
Dyslexiais mainly a problem with reading accurately and fluently. Kids with dyslexiamay have trouble answering questions about something they’ve read. But whenit’s read to them, they may have no difficulty at all.
Dyslexiacan create difficulty with other skills, however. These include:
- Reading comprehension
- Spelling
- Writing
- Math
Signsand symptoms of dyslexia in pre-school children:
- Has trouble recognizing whether two words rhyme
- Struggles with taking away the beginning sound from aword
- Struggles with learning new words
- Has trouble recognizing letters and matching them tosounds
Manykids have more than one learning and attention issue. There are a number ofissues that often co-occur with dyslexia. There are also issues that havesymptoms that can look like dyslexia, which is why testing for dyslexia shouldbe part of a full learning evaluation.
Dyspraxia
Ifyour child struggles with motor skills, you might hear people describe it usingtwo different names. Dyspraxia is one. Developmental coordination disorder(DCD) is the other. These terms aren’t totally interchangeable. But theydescribe many of the same difficulties.
Dyspraxiarefers to trouble with movement. That includes difficulty in four key skills:
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
- Motor planning
- Coordination
Ifyour child struggles with motor skills, there are lots of ways you can help.Working with the school and with specialists can help your child getthe best possible help.
Other Barriers to Learning
Thereare various other barriers to learning that should also be noted, theseinclude:
- Emotional and health barriers
- Financial issues
- Cultural and social issues
- Language and education
- Barriers within the academic system
- Lack of potential development
Conclusion
Barriersto learning can be internal (originating within the child) or external(circ*mstances in the child’s development). Also, sometimes barriers tolearning may compound – think for instance of a physically disabled child in apoor community. His parents may worrythat he will not be able to contribute meaningfully to the family income oneday and choose not to send him to school, but rather spend their resources onhis able-bodied sibling’s education.
Whenit comes to these and other barriers to learning, it is very important for usto be aware of them, so that we can remove them for our children and also findways to prevent these barriers from becoming an issue in the first place.
For more information about early childhood developmentor to book a consultation, contact Anel Annandale at 021 423 0739 or via emailat anel@childpsych.co.za.
