This question has been asked several times by my tutees' parents and with the upcoming WA, parents are starting to panic. I may need to highlight that children with more learning needs will require slightly more handholding and scaffolding. I will be sharing some tips with you. Hope they come in handy.
🏹1) Set realistic and achievable goals with your child
Sit down with your child and do goal setting. Use previous test scores as a benchmark and set realistic goals. Achievable goals will provide more confidence to a child and he/she will be motivated to work towards them.
👨👩👧👦2) Provide a supportive environment
A supportive environment goes a long way. For older children, parents can show their concern by frequently asking them if they need help and actually be present for them in times of need. Help to navigate their challenges together. For younger children who have yet gained independence to do their own revision, parents can dedicate their time, at least 1 hour daily to guide them or just be present while they try to attempt the assignment.
💪🏻3) Practice gradual release of responsibility
This is how we train children to encourage independence from young. For a start, sit with them while they attempt their work. Once a child has mastered or comprehended
his/her task, start practising gradual release of responsibility. Tell the child, "Now that you know how to solve these problems, I'm going to leave you to do your own work. I will come back to check in with you later." Slowly but surely, the child will learn to work independently and seek help when he/she faces any problem.
📝4) Have a visual schedule
This is especially essential for children with additional needs as many of them face difficulties with time management. Parents have to sit down with their children to draft out a schedule. Give them the authority to plan their own schedule so as to "let them take charge of their own learning." Make minor changes to the schedule and carry them out consistently. Here, consistency is key. Once a child gets into the momentum, a routine has been established.
👏🏼5) Celebrate successes
Intrinsic motivation far exceeds extrinsic motivation. Celebrating progress (big or small) will provide a child with more confidence and the desire to do better. This, in turn, satisfies one's basic psychological needs for autonomy and competence.
📈6) Help adopt a growth mindset
A growth mindset empowers an individual to believe he/she can do better. When you hear your child say, "I don't know how to do!", reply, "You can learn how to do." Teach a child how to embrace challenges. Let them know that every setback just make us stronger and wiser.
🧗🏻♂️7) Practice what you preach
Role modelling is the most effective way the child learns from you. If you would like them to pick up reading, they have to see you read. So, read alongside. Next, display your high work ethics by taking pride in your own work. Impress upon your child that nothing in life is actually free. How far you have come today is attributed to all the hard work you put in over the years. So if they want to achieve a goal, they have to earn it.
Lastly, work with them and not on them. As many of these skills have to be developed gradually, it will be easier to nurture these skills the younger they start! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
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