Suggestions to help my son in his development.?

Question

My son turned 4 in September. He was born 6 weeks early and has had quite a few medical issues. He was in a state provided program to help his development but that ended at the age of 3. He is doing a lot better now that his medical issues have been resolved but, his development level is definitely not where he should be. I see my neighbors 4 year old and it's like night and day. He is in a good daycare that does teach them about the basics. I can't afford an actual preschool right now. I try to work with him in the evenings but he doesn't want to focus. He doesn't show any real interest in learning. I'm worried he is going to be so far behind the other kids once it comes time for kindergarten. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

keep working with him. try to provide educational activities that don't seem like school or work.
does he have an iep?
is it gross and fine motor issues?
playdo is great for that or a sandbox. maybe a trip to the beach to build sandcastles.
read to him everynight before bed and add cuddling.
label everything in the house and repeatedly talk about every action you do.
have him tell you a story and write it for him and then read it together.
make the work as much play as possible.
good luck
research whatever is going on on the internet--there's great info out there.

Answer 2

For starters you should really research ANY options that may be available for your son.

Reading to your son is one of the best things he can do. Start the bedtime routine earlier so you can read your son a few stories. Dr Seuss books, or other books that rhyme can help develop your child's memories. You'll start to notice your son, saying to the words along with you. (My mother and I can still recall large passages of Dr. Suess stories *lol*).

Memory card games are fun and can also help develop your child's memory. When you read him a story or perhaps watch a movie or TV show, ask him questions about the content later to see how much he is comprehending.

You need to find the educational value in the things in our every day life. Constantly point out stuff to your son, maybe all the different shapes on a house, or in a picture in a book. Point out colors, point out the number of objects. Eventually he will be the one pointing things out to you.

You can always go to a book store where you can find workbooks designed for Preschool aged children, this is not so much for your son to do, but rather give you an idea of what you should focus on teaching him.


Good Luck!

Answer 3

First, check with your local school district. In ours we have a program for preschoolers called EELP (pronounced ELP). It's an all day preschool program for three and four year olds with disabilities, it's free, and it's right in our elementary school.

Next, check with your local colleges. They may have students who need volunteer/internship hours who can work with him, or they my have their own preschool that can work out something with you for costs. If they have education classes and programs they may also be able to help. A local college by us has counseling for all people and therapy for kids with disabilities, and they work on a sliding scale for pay. Sometimes there's a grant or special program and the services don't cost anything at all, but you have to call and ask.

Contact your local Head Start office. They may have programs. Also check to see if there are any special preschools around geared towards kids with disabilities. They may be able to help as well, even if you can't pay. Maybe there's something you can do for them in return, or maybe they can waive tuition.

He's only three years old, so maybe he can't focus, especially at the end of a long day. Don't compare him to the four year old, they're not the same child and they don't have the same background. Your child will develop at his pace, and even though it's not at a pace you'd like to see, he'll progress along at a comfortable pace for him.

In the meantime, make learning fun, not work. Play a game, take a walk, do art projects. Things he likes to do. You're stimulating him, so he is learning, even if you can't see it.

Check with your hospital and doctor for support groups for people with kids like your son. Those parents may know of local options open to you. Even if they don't, it would be nice to talk to people going through the same thing and learn some of their tips and tricks.

These web sites might be of some help. Good luck, and don't give up, just adjust your point of view. Be glad he's here, be glad he can learn, and be thankful he's not a teenager yet! That's when it gets really hard! :)

www.cec.sped.org
www.ucf-card.org

Answer 4

You should talk to someone in your school district about enrolling him in a public preschool. There they can make an iep and maybe even get you son back on track with the other students. You could also try searching the community for free programs offered by a local college or univ for children who need a little extra help. For example Texas A&M has the SPLASH and CAMP program.

Answer 5

i don't know where you live, but there are some pre-k programs that are free. some daycares provide free pre-k, so you might have to look into that. you need to have him tested to see what area he is lagging and go from there. remember he is still young and they have a short attention span, so it could be anything like from a.d.d. or a learning disorder.. but don't jump the gun because they're at that age when it's unpredictable so just let him be for a minute because when he's actually in school than you can get a better idea.

Answer 6

Continue to try to help the lil guy. When you try to help him out make it fun. Be a kid yourself and do things that he enjoys first and then throw other lil things in there. But make it a game. I had a math game in the car everywhere we went we played the math game. Easy questions 1+1 and so forth, all of a sudden my littlest one started. So never give up also check with Department of Human Services and go to the libary check into that also you have a pc allot of information on the net.

Answer 7

There is a process called red carding that allows your child to be delayed in starting kindergarden,until he gains the skills to enter in.Sometimes children who are red carded are able to enter into kindergarden 2 or 3 months late,and still do fine.Another rout is montesuri school,which is designed for children who do have trouble focusing,it is really a wonderful school system,and all learning is based on play.

Answer 8

My son was a 25 weeker and was in Birth to 3 too... He didn't need follow up care, but they said that there was follow up available from the school district.... Try Head start if you are low income... But the income guidelines are strict.... I let my son choose the activities he wants to do when we go to the store He loves flash cards with letters and numbers on them and they are fairly inexpensive. I have worked with him on recognizing words that mean something to him ( his name my name fav foods etc... ) and that has seemed to boost his interest. Good Luck

Answer 9

Where I am from the school district you live in will help in situations like that. They will do tests for free to find out what can be done to help and the schools will help them learn and get where he should be.
My son is speech delayed, so that how I found out about that.

Answer 10

Get professional help.
This is your son's well being on the line here. Don't just ask people on the Internet about it.