Tag: behavior problems

Ten Tricks for Motivating and Engaging Children with Down Syndrome

Published on by Mary CooneyLeave a comment

How many times have you called your child/student with Down Syndrome to come and do some school work and that child balked or refused to co-operate? Sigh. Yes, in our little homeschool and co-op it’s a common occurrence. But necessity is the mother of invention, so I’ve learned many ways to motivate my son and his little friends. I really believe that what most hinders our children with DS from learning is not intellectual delay/disability, but non-compliant behaviors. So to help elicit co-operation, here are my latest tricks for motivating and engaging children with Down Syndrome:

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Raising a Child with Down Syndrome: Life in the Last 48 Hours

Published on by Mary Cooney4 Comments

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to raise a child with Down Syndrome? A few years ago, I shared this post, written when Junior was only three. Ah, those were the days, when he was still little, and everything he did was funny or adorable. Now Junior is six, and in many ways still a toddler, but bigger, stronger, and heavier. His propensity for getting into trouble has spiked, and he keeps me on my toes all day long.

Just in the past 48 hours, Junior did the following:

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Homeschooling a Child with Down Syndrome: My Favorite Resources for Parents

Published on by Mary Cooney2 Comments

Last fall Junior started kindergarten, so I’ve been doing a lot of reading about how best to teach a child with Down Syndrome. There isn’t a whole lot of information and advice available on how to homeschool children with Down Syndrome (compared to the overwhelming plethora of blogs, books, videos, and conferences on homeschooling in general). However, there are some very helpful educational resources for parents of children with Down Syndrome. Today I’m sharing my favorite ones:

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Loving the Difficult Child

Published on by Mary Cooney3 Comments

Once in a while, one of my kids fall into a funk – a period of negativity and difficult behavior which makes parenting, especially homeschooling, a real challenge. When this happens, not only do I feel sorrow for my child, but I also feel discouraged and inadequate. And yet, I know that this is a common experience among parents.

Perhaps it’s a hyper-sensitive  child who  whines and cries over the smallest vexations. Perhaps it’s a strong-willed child who fights you tooth and nail whenever you tell him to do something. Perhaps it’s that hormonal middle schooler, who has suddenly become moody, disrespectful, and ultra-critical. Or perhaps it’s a child whose health issues makes her irritable and crabby.

Whatever the situation, although you know deep-down that you love this child, there are times when it can be a real challenge to be patient and loving. So what can we do?

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