how can i speed up dd (5) who is very slow?

[twoplusthree]

I am not really concerned about dd, who is just 5, but frustrated and a bit confused. She is doing well at school and has no problems learning - reading, writing numeracy have all come easily so teacher has no concerns. But she does everything very slowly. Talking - she takes along time getting words out and you can see her thinking of what words she needs to say. Getting dressed, eating, washing hands, most things she does really slow (frustratingly so), despite using timers etc. Teacher says she can write well , but is slow to do so. She is very quite a lot of the time except with close friends and family. Teacher says she is timid at school. I would like to help her speed up, but don't really know if this is just the ways she is.

Shes very young yet and probably anxious to do her best at everything and in trying to do her best shes taking more time,the only thing you can do is gee her up a bit c'mon now all the water will run out -said when shes washing her hands etc ...so long as its all said with a smile she will know its not a criticism.

some children are slower they are 'thinkers' their minds arent on task and they are dreaming about other stuff,so trying to help her keep focused will help - was going to suggest timers but see youve already done that ....the other thing is is that if she is an imaginative child her mind might work much quicker than her physical ability to write does and so it can be very confusing - perhaps she could narrate short stories to you and you write them down to help her 'set things out'.

Moondog (SALT) is running a training course for parents on how to help and speed up their children's learning. Why don't you PMher to find out details as it could be very useful for you.

Thanks for the reply. I do think she is a thinker. It also seems to take her time to process things and then she has got it. TBH she doesn't appear as clever as she is. She is such a sweet little girl i feel guilty - i feel like i'm having to tell her to hurry up all the time.

That sounds great star. i will definately try that.

And get her hearing checked.

Yes good point. How do i find Moondog?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs_education/1253771-Research-participants-required

She's on the above thread. Click on message poster by her name.

My dd is very similar and I sometimes get cross with her about it - especially the time taken to try to get dressed/undressed or walk or talk!

Have you read any of the books (look on amazon) about introverted children and their style of thinking/learning? I've read a couple of books that describe my dd to a tee. Introverted children process everything internally first so appear to talk and do things more slowly. They can be thought of as slow learners when often they aren't at all. Its not the same as shyness but introversion does normally equal quietness especially in larger groups etc. A lot of people expect little ones to be extroverts - but its not the way some are made.

The books I read were quite good at explaining how to respond to intoverted learning/personality without changing your child in any way.

soozbie - which book(s) specifically did you read? Am very interested for my daughter as am despairing, and worried that she is withdrawing further into herself. Thanks.

The Hidden Gifts of the Introverted Child - Marti Olsen Laney. Its a bit US centric but has a good section/questionnaire on the difference between introverted adn extroverted kids. The key is to accept your child as they are - I guess as long as they seem happy.