Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

Guest Column by Patrick McCabe, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, St. John’s University

Lucinda (not real name) is a fourth grader who does well in class.  She likes to attend school, does her homework, and pays attention. But there is one thing that she does not like about school: standardized tests!

As you might imagine, this is not a favorite activity for either children or teachers. Who can blame them! Who wants to take a test? Across this nation, most children take what are called standardized tests that are supposed to measure your child’s level of achievement in comparison to other children of the same age group. There are arguably alternative and perhaps more valid ways of measuring progress of children in school such as a portfolio assessment in which samples of children’s work are selected to determine progress. However, standardized tests are still around, and probably always will be! Two areas in which your son or daughter is expected to perform well on standardized tests are reading and math.

Your child’s teacher helps your child perform to his or her optimum through quality teaching throughout the year. Teachers also prepare children for standardized tests by giving practice exercises on how to complete answer forms and on the wording of test questions in addition to other test-taking activities. These exercises familiarize you son or daughter with the nature of the test so he or she will know what to expect. However, as a parent you can also play a role. Below are some ways in which parents can help their child prepare for the standardized test.

• Adequate Sleep. Make sure that your child gets an adequate amount of sleep, not just the night before, but at the minimum for about a week prior to the test. Individuals who are tired make errors in judgment due to fatigue. Sleep deprivation affects all of us: accountants, construction workers, cooks, lawyers, truck drivers, and children taking tests. Eight hours of undisturbed sleep each night for at least a week prior to the test will give your son or daughter the extra edge.
• Proper Nutrition. Always make sure that your child is well-fed, especially before the test. Make sure that he or she goes to school that day with a full stomach. This is very important to good test taking. This does not mean to give him or her sugar-laden food. (Actually, sugar causes fatigue after a short period of time). Foods containing carbohydrates and protein are especially recommended. These foods will maximize his or her performance. Consult with your family physician or dietitian for advice on which foods seem to enhance and which seem to inhibit learning.
• Reduce Anxiety. Talk to your child about the upcoming test. Discuss its importance but do not put excessive pressure on him or her to “do well.” As much as possible, ensure that you follow the family’s regular routines the night before and the morning of the test.

Do not increase your child’s level of anxiety; reduce it by making sure there are no traumas in the house, especially immediately preceding the standardized test. Prevent potential disputes within the family from erupting into full blown “wars.” This might mean you will overlook something which you might not under ordinary circumstances. Tell your son or daughter that you expect his or her best effort, and this, does not necessarily mean a perfect score (which is highly unlikely to be achieved anyway!)

• Inform Yourself. Talk to your child’s teacher about ways in which you can help your child.  Find out about the length and nature of the test, the seating arrangements in the class, who will be administering the test, and the time the test will start and end. Make sure that you inform your child about the testing situation as the teacher has explained in to you. If someone other than the regular teacher will be administering the test, make sure your son or daughter is aware of this. If the test is to be given in a room different from that in which you child usually works, then be sure to mention this so he or she does not walk into a totally unfamiliar environment, one in which he or she may not be immediately comfortable.

Like most of us, children need to have a physically, mentally and psychologically healthy environment in which to develop intellectually. Children will be less likely to do well in school if they have not had the proper nutrition, sleep or if they are psychologically troubled. The suggestions in this column should be kept in mind throughout the school year not just one or two weeks prior to the test.