What do you do if your private school says, ‘We may not be the right school for your child.” According to the Department of Education in Florida, over 11% of the state’s K-12 students are enrolled in private schools with over 52% of private school students in PreK-5th grade. But too many private schools are failing bright, creative children who learn differently. The vast majority do not have the resources to serve students with learning differences. Private school parents live in fear of a dreaded call from a school that may not want their child. This is happening even more frequently to smart struggling students who would benefit from a more visual or kinesthetic educational approach. We believe there are multiple reasons why this is happening so frequently in the 2021-22 school year:
- The demand for private schools is at a record high, especially in Florida as the pandemic has caused many families to seek schools with smaller class sizes
- Private schools tended to stay open during the pandemic
- A large number of families migrated to South Florida from the Northeast due to the relatively new state and local tax laws – and these families often prefer private schools
- Many private schools have long waiting lists and they often do not have the resources in place for a struggling child
- Private schools demands are often a grade above where public schools are at
As a result of the pandemic, more students have missed vital opportunities to build a strong educational foundation. Today, there are 3rd graders who have missed 2 years of classroom experience.
Bright students who have fallen behind need strong, effective interventions to build their reading comprehension and renew their confidence in the classroom. Unless the student starts to make dramatic gains, their current school may not be the right place for them.
3D Learner helps students succeed
3D Learner’s programs help these students succeed. We specialize in supporting smart struggling students who often have much more potential than current results indicate. These students are often visual or kinesthetic learners.
Visual learners
Visual learners are often found at the front of the classroom, soaking up whatever they see their teacher write on the board. They are fascinated by bright colors and motion. They like to draw and paint. Once they’ve read a story, they can retell it down to the smallest detail. They often say, “show me,” when they’re trying to learn something new and like to see someone else perform a task before they try it themselves.
Kinesthetic learners
Kinesthetic learners have a physical learning style, absorbing information best through touch, movement, and motion. This means that to really understand something, they need to touch it, feel it and move it around. If your child means “Let me hold that,” whenever they say “Let me see that,” they’re likely a kinesthetic learner. These children love building sets, model kits, and interactive museum displays. They may even have more fun taking something apart rather than putting it together. They’ll choose modeling clay over pencils or paint and reach for books that encourage interaction—pop-ups, little doors that open and close, or books with textures that can be touched or petted.
The pandemic was not kind to these students
Right now, we are seeing:
- Early grade students are expected to be reading more now than ever before, leaving less capable readers behind
- Smart, struggling visual or kinesthetic learners have missed important opportunities to develop the foundational skills (e.g. working memory, processing speed, and ability to pay attention) that shape future learning
- The gap is widening for students who are falling further behind their classmates
- Most private schools are full, so there may be no good options available
The good news is that the private schools we have consulted with are working constructively with the parents to find a solution that will allow a student to stay in their present school for the balance of this school year. Many schools will give you time to see if the student demonstrates notable progress to meet grade-level expectations before making a final judgment.
What can you do?
- When a parent is facing difficult conversations with their school, we recommend:
- Talking with the school and finding out what your options are
- Getting an outside assessment to determine the extent of the challenge and what is possible
- Consulting with outside professionals to identify the best course of action for your child
- If you want to consider another private school, find out if they have room for next year and act quickly
A stronger economy, increasing vouchers, and overwhelmed public schools with a large number of struggling students, are leading more parents to consider private school options. 3D Learner can help private and public school students overcome the learning gaps that the pandemic has caused.
Building on students’ strengths
Many educational support programs are designed to focus on a student’s weakness. 3D Learner takes a different approach. We begin by focusing on identifying your child’s strengths and interests to build a program that will keep them engaged. Rather than the standardized franchised curriculum with repetitive worksheets, the 3D Learner programs are custom-tailored to bring out the best in your child. We recognized the visual or kinesthetic learner often excels when:
- They are taught to their strengths
- Their challenges are identified and addressed
- Parents learn how to be the coach and advocate their child needs
Helping parents help their child
We’ve found that the more parents know about their child’s primary learning style, the more effective they are in partnering with their child. For example, if your child is struggling to grasp a concept with their homework, you can challenge them to look at the problem in a way that aligns with how they learn best. You can also use your knowledge of a child’s learning style to help ignite their innate curiosity about the world around them. The 3D Learner’s programs include support and training to help parents be the most effective coaches and advocates for their children. If you suspect your child may be a visual or kinesthetic learner call us at 561-361-7495 or schedule a no-cost consult at Stress to Success Strategy Session We can help your child succeed whether they are private, public, or homeschooled.
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