Reluctant Schoolchildren
Some of us may recall that awful moment when you are forced to push your child metaphorically or physically through the school gate into school. Although the majority soon overcome their reluctance a few find the school environment a continuing issue. The reasons are legion with numerous books giving sound advice on potential solutions. But one underlying Catch 22 is that any absence means they slip behind their lessons and subsequently feel even more reluctant to attend.
Maybe it was a slow learning capacity that created the impasse with peer pressure at school doing little to ease the problem. Academic achievement is therefore at risk but there is a way to try and help build confidence. Lessons at school progress at the average speed of the class, if a child is slipping behind it is extremely difficult for a teacher to devote more than an average of 11minutes per week on a 1:1 basis to help, and the spiral begins.
Pitching the learning programme to suit the individual is best achieved in a small group; being part of a class of 30+ is therefore not ideal. Learning at the pace of the child is the ideal, and with modern teaching resources a highly practical solution is to reinforce the classroom lessons through practice with educational games and a parent at home.
This activity can be extremely rewarding to both child and parent with as much as a 25% improvement in performance being achieved. Using similar teaching resources used in class these fun and enjoyable educational games. Parents do not require teaching skills as the games are self evident and the introduction has been handled by the teacher. Practicing the lesson at home at the pace of the child builds confidence and enthusiasm and maybe helps overcome the reluctance to attend class. The parental involvement also provides a comprehensive approach to understanding the problem and can actively participate in the potential solution. It’s amazing what a parent will learn at the same time.
The teaching resources extend across all subjects of the National Curriculum and cover ages from preschool through key stage 4 (15years old) for standard subject area as well as special needs and gifted and talented. These can be seen on web sites such as www.keen2learn.co.uk
