Learning Doesn’t Have to Be A Struggle

It is a new school year, which means new experiences, new challenges, and getting back into the swing of things. If you have been keeping up with our blogs (mine in particular), you know that I am very open about my past experiences in school and growing up with ADHD. Check out my blog post with tips to staying organized: Music Therapy Blogger Challenge 2: Work Flowy Saved Me

Whether your child has some form of a learning disability, or not, I think it is so important to acknowledge that learning isn’t a cookie cutter process. That being said, learning also doesn’t end when your child hops off the school bus at the end of the day. While I think the homework debate (how much is too much vs. there should be none) will be an ongoing one, homework still exists. Homework can also be more stressful than the school day itself. It is essential to be able to identify if your child is struggling and have ways to intervene and assist.

For as long as I could remember, I had the ability to answer every question in class, but the minute I got home, I couldn’t remember a thing I learned (particularly math). I felt so helpless. However, by the time I reached middle and high school, I found the perfect combination of working with my parents, teachers and tutors. I also found strategies to use at home, making it easier to maintain material and stay engaged during class. This, in turn, transferred to work/homework outside the classroom. I was allowed to take tests and quizzes in the hallway or a separate room so I could sing or listen to music, which helped immensely.

The list goes on of things that helped me over the years, and I am forever grateful for the faculty, staff, and family who allowed me to shine, and in my own way. Learning is individual, and I want all our students to have the ability to shine in their own ways as well. That being said, how can you do this for your own student, and , how can you use music as a guide?

1. Make a Playlist
Have a playlist of music for them to listen to as they complete classwork/homework. Why? Listening to music, especially songs they are familiar with, stimulates the hippocampus which is in charge of long term memory storage.

2. Add Movement
Take a break to move and groove. If you see your child becoming frustrated, don’t allow them to sit idol and stare at a problem. By taking a break to dance or get up and move, they won’t become overwhelmed. Set a timer and have them take breaks in 30-45 minute intervals.

3. Put it in a Song
Turn material into a song or find a song relevant to the topic your child may be learning about (don’t reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to). Science has proven that when material is presented in a musical format (especially with math), it is clearer.

Learning doesn’t have to be a struggle! Give these ideas a try; we would love to hear what worked best!