John Wayne is quoted as saying, “Life is hard. It’s even harder when you’re stupid.” I would have to agree. When a person gets it into their head that they are stupid, or cannot learn, life get’s difficult indeed! It is imperative that students that learn differently, who may or may not be in special education classes, believe that they are smart and that they can learn.

Many of these kids carry the belief that they are stupid and therefore stop trying to learn. It generally is by the fourth grade that students who have learning disabilities start to give up. They have been teased and told they’re stupid so many times by their peers or have said it to themselves so often; it starts to become truth to them.

As adults we must be affirming the abilities our children have, and coaching students to challenge untrue beliefs.

BE -affirming