You’ve seen it; your child finally agrees to put the tablet down, and they look up at you, a bit dazed, as if they aren’t quite sure where they are. The phenomenon actually has a name: “post-tablet fog.” The signs are everywhere: difficulty focusing on anything that is not high stimulation, acting scattered and irritable, decreased mental clarity, and, in cases where tablets become an addiction, you may see full-blown temper tantrums when the device is taken away.

We all do it without thinking when we read: blending the sounds of phonograms together to make the word. It feels so natural; we don’t consciously sound out each letter and then blend them into a word. Somewhere between about 3 to 8 years old, you learned to blend letter sounds into words and read them smoothly.

If math brings tears, tension, or the familiar phrase “I’m bad at math,” take heart. Many bright, capable children struggle with math at some point. Struggling does not mean incapable. It is often a signal that the method needs adjusting.

When math feels slow, frustrating, and full of one step forward, two steps back, the issue may not be ability so much as fluency. Math is like learning to read. A traditional math curriculum relies on rote memorization, similar to some older reading programs, which teach students to memorize sight words rather than decode letter sounds. Memorization can provide a quick win because students learn to match memorized answers to math facts or to read by recognizing sight words.

Children with dyslexia can learn to read, but they usually need reading instruction that is explicit, systematic, cumulative, and mastery-based. Start with phonemic awareness and letter sounds, teach phonics in a logical sequence, provide plenty of review, and give your child reading practice that matches the skills you have already taught.

Enter to Win!

This month you can enter to win the All About Reading Color Edition level of your choice, which includes the Teacher’s Manual, Student Packet, and readers! If you haven’t used AAR before, we’ll also include Letter Tiles and a Reading Review Box to make sure you’ve got everything you need to succeed!

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Homeschooling a child with Down syndrome is about balance. It’s about challenges and potential. Homeschooling can support growth and provide unique opportunities to address difficulties. Growth happens. It unfolds at its own pace, and many times, there are seeds of potential sprouting that you didn’t know were there until the flower blooms. When parents hold expectations loosely and focus instead on nurturing the gifts and talents that appear, homeschooling can become an experience of joyful discovery.

Enter to win!

This month you can enter to win the All About Math level of your choice. If you haven’t used AAM before, we’ll also include an All About Math Manipulatives Kit to make sure you’ve got everything you need to succeed!

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There’s something special about the fresh start of a new homeschool year. New supplies. A clean planner. The hopeful feeling that this year, everything will click. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just getting started with homeschooling, still figuring out your rhythm, back-to-school season is a chance to reset, refocus, and come back to the table with renewed energy for both you and your child.

Homeschooling while working is a difficult but rewarding choice. For many parents, it feels impossible because they can’t fit the mold of a stereotypical homeschooling family. The vision of a stay-at-home mom, baking bread, raising 5 kids, attending co-op classes, going on field trips, and working together in the huge family garden is more of a fantasy than reality, however. The reality is, there are as many flavors of homeschooling as there are families doing it.

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Enter to Win!

This month you can win a $100 Gift Certificate that can be used toward your purchase of All About Reading, All About Spelling, All About Math, or any products on the All About Learning Press website.