Decoding Learning Differences with Kimberlynn Lavelle

See the video at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/StartingtheSchoolYear   The school year has already begun in schools near me, and won’t start for another month in some other schools around the country.  Whenever you are starting school, I want you to keep in mind a few things toward the start of the year.  These are some ways to help ensure this is a year of success and progress for your...

Video version available at: decodinglearningdifferences.com/IEPAccommodations This week’s podcast episode is long overdue!  This is an analysis of a real IEP accommodations page sent to me by a parent concerned about their child’s IEP and wanting some free feedback. I love parents who care and who ask great questions to understand how to help their kiddo. In this episode, I take a look at this IEP...

I was watching a sweet video the other day of a toddler trying to figure out a puzzle and looking frustrated but determined.  Finally, the child figured it out and their face lit up!  So sweet! I love these kinds of stories of kids, adults, and even animals overcoming difficulties.  They can be such an inspiration! And even better: when someone overcomes a difficulty and then turns around and help...

Hi, *|FNAME|*! Happy Monday! When I first became a special education teacher, I had received NO instruction on how to write an IEP.  I asked another special education teacher how to write it and was told to mostly just copy what the previous year’s IEP said, just making the goals more advanced. I was so clueless going into that first IEP meeting. I cared DEEPLY about my students, and I wanted to d...

I so often hear from parents frustrated by the school system and specifically the school they are fighting with to get their child what they need. What I also hear from on occasion is fellow educators who are passionate about changing the schools from the inside! One such educator is Caroline Digman!  She is a dedicated teacher working hard to make real change in her school and in her school distr...

Continuing with ideas for motivating our kids, we're discussing the motivational impact of genuine belief in your child.  Belief in who they are and what they are capable of. Check out the video version, more free resources, and support at www. DecodingLearningDifferences.com Send IEP documents you want free feedback on to: Kimberlynn@DecodingLearningDifferences.com

Continuing with ideas for motivating our kids, we're discussing the motivational impact of giving kids genuine responsibility. See the video version and resources at: www. DecodingLearningDifferences.com Send IEP documents you want free feedback on to: Kimberlynn@DecodingLearningDifferences.com

Continuing with ideas for motivating our kids, we're discussing the motivational impact of  genuine gratitude. Send IEP documents you want free feedback on to: Kimberlynn@DecodingLearningDifferences.com

Affirmations expressing all the awesome qualities of your kid can be very motivating for them! Be sure to send IEP documents you want free feedback on to: Kimberlynn@DecodingLearningDifferences.com

As a former special education teacher in the public schools, and as someone who still is paying attention to what kids are drawn to reading, I can tell you that anecdotally, graphic novels seem to be the most exciting type of book for kids to own! They love the pictures and our dyslexic kiddos often thrive off of fewer words on the page.  However, many graphic novels contain words that are WAY too...

This episode goes into three “Motivation Killers”: Punishments, Rewards, and Praise.  (Although praise is actually a type of reward).   Punishment Now that corporal punishment (physical abuse/hitting) is very rare and illegal in most states, punishment is usually about taking something away from a child (called a negative punishment).  Punishments you may have seen in schools: “You didn't do your...

This year, in the fourth podcast season, you can expect more about motivation, more interviews, and more IEP guidance!   Be sure to send IEP documents you want free feedback on to: Kimberlynn@DecodingLearningDifferences.com

Video version available at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/podcast/DevelopingReadersAcademy/   Last week we dove deep into the Science of Reading.  This week, we’re moving into how to make that reading instruction FUN! Laura and Megan of the Developing Readers Academy are this week’s podcast guests and they are full of wisdom and inspiration! Join our conversation and gain some ideas for...

Video version available at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/podcast/NHansford How much do you know about “The Science of Reading”? Do you feel clueless?  Do you feel like you are an expert?  Somewhere in-between? This week’s episode is for you if you land ANYWHERE in that range!  I completely geek out over Science of Reading stuff and this conversation was a super fun one for me!  I got to...

Video Version available at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/podcast/MotivationKillers/   This powerful replay episode goes into three “Motivation Killers”: Punishments, Rewards, and Praise.  (Although praise is actually a type of reward).   Punishment Now that corporal punishment (physical abuse/hitting) is very rare and illegal in most states, punishment is usually about taking something...

What is your birth story? Did you experience a traumatic birth?  Do you suspect it may have impacted your child? I don’t want this to scare you, worry you, or bring any kind of burden! I’ve just seen an anecdotal connection between birth difficulties and an increased likelihood of learning disabilities.  I’ve seen some research to support this, but more certainly needs to be done. As I talked with...

Some people just have SO much to offer the world! Today’s podcast wisdom comes from a sweet friend who wrote a truly inspiring book: Swim the Lake Before You Row the Boat- that gives so much wisdom about how to raise children in a purposeful, meaningful way.  AND- Deb is a lawyer and has experience with special education and shared a lot of wonderful wisdom around the IEP process. Video version is...

This week I was excited to chat with Dr. Julian Reed, founder of Walkabouts.  He talks about a program that he developed to bring movement into the classroom as well as a lot of other ways that movement can be incorporated into the classroom, and I mentioned some examples I had seen in a school I used to work in. Learn more about the program at: https://www.walkabouts.com/

If I'm understanding Neurofeedback correctly- without adding another mentally exhausting task to their day, you can retrain the brain to change the brain waves to make learning easier for them.   Click here to watch this fascinating and hope-filled conversation! If you have tried or wind up trying neurofeedback, I would LOVE to hear about your experience! Find out more about Dianne Kosto's work he...

“When I grow up, I want to be Jen Doidge.”- something I’ve said multiple times in my life.   Today’s podcast episode is super special to me.  I have a good friend who exudes positivity and adventure and friendliness.     She’s someone I want everyone to know.  She’s not an education expert.  She’s not a parenting expert.     She’s simply an amazing human that I want to share with even more of the...

Listen to this previously-released episode and check out more episodes that you may have missed here: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/  

Dr. Marnie Ginsberg is the founder of Reading Simplified. Hear her story and get inspired to help your own learner master reading! Video version at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/podcast/readingsimplified/   Check out:  https://readingsimplified.com/ Some links discussed in this episode: Readingsimplified.com/switch-it ReadingSimplified.com/reading-tests ReadingSimplified.com/one-and-don...

Take the Cognitive Questionnaire here: https://questionnaire.arrowsmithprogram.com/     Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is the founder of the Arrowsmith Program, an assessment process and suite of cognitive exercises designed to stimulate and strengthen areas of cognitive functioning that underlie a range of learning difficulties.   Her work is recognized as one of the first examples of the practical app...

We are joined this week by Dayna Abraham, educator, author, mother, and so much more!  Dayna's newest book, Calm the Chaos (about to be released very soon) is "a revolutionary guide for parents of kids that struggle with big emotions, power struggles, or challenging behaviors".  Having had the opportunity to read a sneak preview of this book, I can tell you that it is for every parent I've ever me...

Last week we dove into the latest research on the best educational methodologies for children with dyslexia (including some methodologies that the latest research supports but have been around for over a hundred years!). This week we’re diving into a topic that is a bit more complicated, because there is WAY less research.  This week we’re talking about the best methods for educating a child with...