So my dd has struggled with Math for awhile but is doing better now that we are with Singapore (adding on MM as she needs the extra practice). Anyway, recently as new things have been introduced there has been more added stress on her. I was talking with my natural Dr. and she asked if the stress seemed to apply to any other areas and I said I didn't think so but dd said "diagramming in English". The dr. was perceptive and talked about how they were more linear and suggested that I might let dd listen to instrumental music during school. Ugh, this would drive me and ds batty

. Dd already tries to hum regular and ds and I can only handle so much each day. Anyway, for the last 3 days, dd is carrying around a walkman type cd player with classical music playing. It has done wonders for her. I asked if she thought it was helping and she said yes. I asked her how and she said it helps her stay calmer. During Math she usually will get this contorted face and doing this stretching thing with her neck and shoulders (tension, my guess), but not at all (not even one time) since allowing her to listen to the CD.
Now this goes against my nature to allow her to have music playing when I am teaching a Math lesson, but it seems like it is helping. I just thought I would share in case it would help someone else.