Why would your bright, creative child be at risk for 3rd-grade retention? If your child is a kinesthetic learner (i.e. sometimes referred to as a hands-on learner or visual learner), they have probably lost ground during the pandemic. Zoom-based learning is far less effective for a kinesthetic learner who thrives on seeing and doing. As a result, more children than ever are experiencing significant gaps in their education and a far greater risk for retention.
We know that in Florida, third-grade retention will be a major risk for students. This is not something that the schools decide easily. With so many children so far behind, what can parents do?
We recommend the best decision parents can make is to transform the 3rd Grade Retention risk into a catalyst to get your child the help they need at this critical juncture.
The good news is that if your child is a smart struggling kinesthetic (hands on) learner, they can make significant gains in months not years.
At 3D Learner, we have helped many students to:
- Beat grade retention and score at, above or even well above grade level on tests
- Rediscover their natural love of learning
- Improve their working memory, processing speed, and self-esteem
We know that most smart struggling students:
- Are a visual or kinesthetic (hands-on) learner who can do far better with experiential learning that leverages their strengths
- Have some combination of working memory, processing speed, visual processing, attention, and/or anxiety challenges
- Are far smarter than present results would indicate
Our programs can help the kinesthetic learner beat grade retention and make significant gains in months. 3D Learner’s comprehensive educational assessment reveals important issues that many other assessments miss. For instance, one parent was amazed to learn that her daughter;
- Was a kinesthetic (hands-on) learner
- Was a lot smarter than present results would indicate
- Had a significant visual processing issue, skipping words and lines when reading
- Struggled with small words, reading comprehension, and sequencing
- Was a lot smarter than present evaluations were indicating
By understanding how she learned best, we developed an engaging, personalized program built around her strengths and interests. In just months. 3d Learner helped her score above grade level on the standardized test. When they saw these results, the parents asked “Why do schools not teach the way the kinesthetic learner learns best?” We explained that schools, like most learning centers, focus on a child’s weaknesses.
They often do not:
- Leverage the student’s strengths and interests
- Identify and address issues like working memory, visual processing, or processing speed
- Ignite a love for learning, which is an essential part of the 3D Learner Experiential Learning Process.
We see grade retention risks as a great opportunity for parents to make a true life-long difference in their child’s learning.
If you have a child in any elementary school grade who is struggling in school, 3D Learner can help. To discuss your child’s learning style and needs, call us at 561-361-7495.
Frequently asked questions about grade retention & the kinesthetic learner
Question If many students at risk for grade retention are visual or kinesthetic learners, why do the schools not teach this way?
Answer Schools tend to have a one size fits all approach. There has been a real push towards phonics and phonemic awareness. Unfortunately, this does not provide the experiential learning most kinesthetic learners need. Even worse, we have seen smart and even gifted learners face grade retention because their needs were met.
Question Many programs focus on phonics and phonemic awareness. What are the key skills the kinesthetic learner needs to master before phonics will work?
Answer Word recognition and sight word vocabulary are two of the skills needed before phonics will work. Processing speed, working memory, and attention are other skills that must be mastered.
Question Experiential learning used to be the norm in kindergarten, first and second grade. What happened?
Answer If that were still the case, the kinesthetic learner would be more likely to thrive. The challenge today is that many of the standards are not age-appropriate. This results in less experiential learning, which negatively impacts the kinesthetic learner and makes grade retention more likely.
Question Is it too late to help beat grade retention?
Answer It is almost never too late to beat grade retention. The kinesthetic learner can often make significant gains in months not years, with the right experiential learning.
Question I am not sure if my child is a visual or kinesthetic learner, or what issues are holding my child back. I fear grade retention, Is there a way to talk with your team and to assess my child?
Answer You can call us at 561-361-7495 or click here to schedule a Beat Grade Retention Conversation
The post Why so many third graders are at risk for grade retention? appeared first on 3D Learner.