Simply Smarter

09/10/2026

Hearing and auditory processing are two different things. A child can pass a hearing test and still lose half of what you say, because the issue is not the ear. It is what the brain does with the signal after it arrives.

This piece breaks down the difference, and why it often shows up looking like inattention, poor reading, or not following directions.

Auditory processing is how the brain makes sense of sound. Learn what an auditory processing disorder is, how it differs from hearing loss, and how to help.

08/12/2026

Kids can lose up to 40% of a school year's learning over summer break. That's from a study of 18 million students, not a scare tactic.

Here's the part most parents never hear: the slide isn't really about forgetting facts. It's about brain underuse. Focus, working memory, and processing speed weaken fast when nothing asks them to perform, and that's exactly what the last stretch of summer does.

The fix takes about 15 minutes a day, and some kids walk back into school ahead of where they left.

New on the blog, from Laird Doman:

https://mysimplysmarter.com/blog/summer-learning-loss/

Kids can lose up to 40% of a school year's gains over summer break. Here's a simple, affordable way to keep your child sharp and ahead before fall.

06/12/2026

The last bell rings, the backpacks come off, and summer feels well earned. Then late August arrives and somehow your kid is "a little behind where they were in May."

That's the summer slide, and it's real. A study of 18 million students found kids can lose up to 40% of a school year's learning over the break, and it compounds year after year.

The fix isn't worksheets at the kitchen table. About 15 minutes a day of the right brain training keeps working memory, focus, and processing speed sharp all summer, so your child heads back to school ahead instead of behind.

Start a free 14-day trial, and use code SUMMER10 for 10% off any plan.



Read why the slide happens and what actually works:

Two months off. Months of forgotten material. And then your kid walks back into a classroom expected to start sharper than they finished. Here's the smarter

05/18/2026

Meet Kick-Start.

It's the gentle, parent-guided entry point to Simply Smarter — built for ages 3+ and for any child who needs a supportive beginning. Short sessions, movement breaks, real encouragement along the way. When they're ready, they graduate into the main program.

Start your FREE 14-day trial today! mysimplysmarter.com

05/15/2026

Here's the quick picture of what Simply Smarter actually is.

Not a brain game. A structured cognitive program, built by NACD from 45 years of direct clinical work — for ages 3 to 103, in English and Spanish.

14-day free trial → mysimplysmarter.com

03/22/2025

Today is World Down Syndrome Day and at NACD, we’re celebrating every incredible individual with Down syndrome and the limitless potential within them.

At NACD, we don’t believe in limits—we believe in possibility. We’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of children and adults with Down syndrome from around the world, and we’ve seen firsthand what can happen when you focus on each individual’s unique strengths, build the right developmental foundation, and never stop believing in what’s possible.

Today, we honor the families who refuse to accept the status quo, the kids who shatter expectations, and the progress that comes from purpose, love, and the right support.

Let’s continue to raise awareness, advocate for inclusion, and create a world where every individual is seen for their potential—not their diagnosis.

02/15/2025

🔥 Utah’s Best-Kept Secret for Child Development & Education! 🔥

Did you know one of the world’s leading child development organizations has been headquartered right here in Utah for over 40 years? NACD has helped children in 90+ countries, yet many local families still don’t know we exist.

Learn how NACD is transforming the lives of children with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and more—right here in Utah. 🌎❤️

📖 Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/41hlwX1

Did you know that one of the world’s leading organizations for child development and education is based right here in Utah? The National Association for Child Development (NACD) has been headquartered in Northern Utah for over 40 years, helping tens of thousands of families in over 90 countries. W...

12/21/2024

With Christmas approaching, finding worthwhile gifts for our children is a priority. An iPad stands out for its usefulness and adaptability, making it more than just a gadget. It evolves with changing needs and attention spans, which is why it's a favorite choice.

by Ellen Doman   With Christmas right around the corner, we are all trying to figure how to get gifts that are really worth getting for our children. When it comes to larger ticket items, it is hard to beat an iPad for usefulness and continued relevance. This is not a gadget that will get...

11/28/2024

🍂 Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

🍁 May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, cherished moments, and heartfelt gratitude! Cherish your time with your loved ones today and reflect on what you are thankful for. At NACD, we never stop being thankful for all the wonderful kids and families we get to work with every day, around the world. We thank you for being part of our lives! 🧡

01/31/2022

The potential of our children is not a reflection of what they were born with, but rather the stimulation and opportunities we provide for them. Not the least of these needs centers on building their ability to take in and manipulate information–their cognitive ability, basically, how smart they are. As parents we need to understand that this is not part of any school’s curriculum, or even on their radar, even though it should be an integral piece. It is something that parents need to understand and assume the responsibility for. Our children, whether they are developmentally challenged, have learning or attention issues, are “typical’ or gifted, all have great untapped potential.

  Processing and Its Relationship to Cognition, Maturity, and Global Function What every parent needs to understand about processing: It’s not about chronological age, it’s processing power. by Bob Doman Whether your child is “typical,” has learning or attention issues or special needs, you...