As parents today, we all feel pressure from society to push our kids to learn letters and numbers as soon as they start talking. Read earlier, learn math, write clearly and memorize facts about science or other subjects...Interestingly, this push for academic success at earlier ages has not led to better results. Research emphasizes that rather than grades, social competence is one of two indicators of success in adult life (the other is grit).

Math and reading seem to be the two areas of academics that society focuses on the most. They also happen to be two areas in which children who have language disorders and executive functioning difficulties frequently struggle. It’s easy to see how a difficulty understanding language can impact a child’s ability to read – reading requires the ability to comprehend written language. However, determining how difficulties with language can impact a child’s mathematical ability is much less obvious.

Over the years, schools have taught students to follow directions, get along with others, work hard and be professional. All are still necessary skills. But to hold information-age jobs, students also need the ability to think deeply and critically, solve problems, work in collaborative environments, communicate clearly in various media (email, phone, social media, face-to-face), learn ever-changing technologies, and deal with a constant flood of information. That’s where 21st century skills come in...