WikiHow can help your child practice Self-Awareness, Planning, Reading and Writing. Try out some of the suggestions below, and let us know what works for you in the comment box at the bottom of the page. 

Focus Activity

Encourage your child to browse the different categories on WikiHow. If there is a particular subject that he finds especially interesting, he should feel free to dig more deeply into that section. Many guides provide simple improvements to tasks, chores, or even technologies that we use everyday. Your child should start with more simplistic how-to guides, searching for projects that he can accomplish without too much prior knowledge or stress and work his way toward more difficult projects. For example, if your child has a great interest in computers, WikiHow contains dozens of articles on quick improvements to computing. Many can be accomplished in an afternoon or shorter. Your child will quickly gain and develop knowledge in an area of his interest working on the hands-on activities on WikiHow.

Planning Activity

Before beginning a task, make sure your child takes the time to plan accordingly. He should read all of the instructions first, and prepare the materials and tools he will need to complete the task. If he doesn't have one of the items that he needs, it is much better to find out before beginning work than during the middle of a task. Encourage your child to thoroughly read the directions, asking questions where he is unsure or confused. Your child may also find additional resources for his project useful. Youtube provides many video how-to guides, which can greatly benefit users who tend to learn more readily through visual instruction.

Reading Activity

Select a how-to project to complete with your child. Take the time to read the entire list of instructions out loud together before you begin. Try printing the article and as you and your child read, take the time to underline major verbs and other textual clues that are critical to executing the task correctly. This will encourage your child to identify and focus on critical information as he reads and can help with comprehension.

Writing Activity

Creating a how-to guide can be an excellent exercise in Writing. Guides offer an organized and chronologically logical structure. Your child will need to concentrate on his directions, ensuring that he utilizes clear and concise writing. For beginning writers, it can be helpful to create a list of transition words like, “First,” “Then,” “After,” used in writing a set of steps. If your child gets stuck, first ask him to explain a step to you out loud. This may help give him the language he needs.

WikiHow is just one example of a website resource for getting help on completing tasks, and for contributing your own. Try out some of the resources below, and let us know what works for your family in the comment box at the bottom of the page.

HowCast.com

HowCast.com offers a wide selection of how-to videos, rather than articles. Users can search by key words or browse through the top lists and sorted categories in order to find creative videos that will help them accomplish a new task. For details, click here.

SoYouWanna.com

This website offers a combination of the above options. Users can search by keywords to find both articles and videos that will guide them to accomplishing a new task. Find out more here.

WikiHow & ADHD

Children with ADHD often have a burgeoning curiosity, but sometimes struggle to find an outlet to in which to express it. Daydreaming and a lack of attention will often stem from children who have no way of expressing creativity. WikiHow offers a medium for children with ADHD to satisfy their curiosity about a particular subject. Children can explore how-to guides on nearly any topic -- and if they are particularly adept at a certain trade, they can write their own. WikiHow is great for DIY tasks, as children can learn how to do many hands-on tasks. With a little direction, children with ADHD can use WikiHow to become active learners.

How to use WikiHow for Children with ADHD:

• Children with ADHD who have poor concentration or goal-directed persistence, or an inability to stay focused on a task until completion, should explore WIkiHow's article section to find a project that interests them particularly  In this section, children will be presented with a variety of categories ranging from "arts and entertainment" to "personal care and style." Within these categories will be articles that offer help on more specific concerns. Children should look to further their interests, by choosing a category and an article that they find appealing. But children must do more than simply read the article. They should attempt to implement the strategies that the WikiHow community has presented. If children are learning how to tie their shoes, they should search through WikiHow's, vast archive of instructions, until they find one that works. The next step is to tie the shoe. WikiHow is a great way to encourage children with ADHD to finish tasks, as well as introducing "self teaching" strategies.

• For children who are older, and more comfortable with their ability to write clearly, they should attempt to write and publish original articles on WikiHow. Children who have an affinity for a specific skill will get to share their knowledge with the WikiHow community. Not only will they get the satisfaction from knowing they are helping others, but they will also be practicing and improving their writing skills. Children who have figured out how to put backspin on a ping pong ball, for example, should write an article that describes exactly how they get that spin. It is often said that teaching is the best method of learning.