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Most children begin their educational careers as enthusiastic
learners and energetic thinkers. But before long, many of them begin to fall
behind in traditional school programs because of the way their brains are
"wired."
Children who are struggling present a range of issues from severe breakdowns in
learning to the frustrations of those whose efforts in school far exceed their
achievements. Some have brains that are wired to handle a lot of information at
once. Others can only absorb and process a little information at a time. Still
others must look at information many times before grasping it. Some kids'
brains can recall information and skills rapidly, while others need more time
to process and respond to a stimulus.
Fortunately, all kids' minds have the potential for great growth.
Too many kids struggle needlessly simply because the way in which they learn is
incompatible with the way they're being taught. Schools are filled with kids
who have given up on themselves and conclude that they are "stupid." It's
tragic. It's also painful – painful for the student, teacher, and parent.
All of these individuals may be unaware that the "wiring" of a child's brain
simply is not in sync with the demands of the situations at hand. Telling a
student "You can do better..," doesn't help, particularly when he has done his
best to no avail. Criticizing him for an inability to complete a particular
task in a particular way, similarly, is ineffective - not to mention
inappropriate. And humiliating him inadvertently, in private or in public, for
circumstances beyond his control is simply hurtful and unnecessary.
Yet these types of responses to children with learning differences are all too
common. The fact is that these kids often have good minds with real and obvious
intellectual strengths. However, they suffer from what are often subtle
dysfunctions – patterns of brain wiring that make certain aspects of learning
exceedingly difficult. These children are highly vulnerable – and they're
slipping through the cracks.
In general, kids have very little tolerance for humiliation or failure. One of
a student’s most important goals is to make it through the day without
embarrassment. Imagine then, the frustration of children with differences in
learning, who are at risk of growing up deprived of experiencing success.
Naturally, they compare themselves to their peers and siblings. While some may
see themselves as "different," many will feel inferior.
Unfortunately, these feelings are likely to endure. When they do, serious
complications can develop including plummeting self-esteem, behavior problems,
excessive dependence on peers, alienation from family, deep anxiety, and a loss
of motivation. The sad reality is that a difference in learning, not addressed
as such, can lead to anti-social behavior, substance abuse, dropping out, and
other serious forms of maladjustment.
Success is a vitamin that every kid must take in order to thrive during his or
her school years. We, as teachers and parents, must make sure that this
critical learning "supplement" is available to all students. All Kinds of Minds
believes that our odds of succeeding at this essential task will be increased
by embracing the unique set of ideas and practices that follow.
Dr. Mel Levine
Co-Chair and Co-Founder
All Kinds of Minds
 Read About How All Kinds of Minds Began
Questions and Answers with Dr. Levine
Read Dr. Levine's Biography
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