Is it better to avoid distractions or learn to deal with them?

Not seeing joy in your child’s education because of learning challenges, grumpy attitudes, and lack of confidence? Here are 4 strategies for parents and tutors to help children with overcoming learning challenges. Much of the application of these strategies comes from talking over the changes, context, and benefits of the strategies instead of just giving a list of rules.

For the younger years, parents should take the lead in setting up expectations for learning. For the middle years, parents and students should talk about options and expectations. For the launching years, students should take the lead if they have shown the maturity and self-discipline to complete tasks. If not, parents and students should discuss expectations and problem-solve learning challenges together.

Establish study routines

Whether your child does homework right away or not until after dinner, establish study routines. Talk about options for locations. Is the kitchen table a good fit or too distracting? Is the bedroom desk a good fit or too removed for accountability?

Talk about establishing time routines to work on homework, do daily reading, organize papers, and study over notes taken in class. Talk about study skills and how to excel in school. Talk about reviewing what was taught even when no assigned homework was given.

Use an Agenda System

One key study skill is writing in an agenda daily. An agenda is a communication tool and is useful for improving grades. This is a requirement I have for all my tutoring clients regardless of whether or not their school requires it. Besides just copying down homework assignments, an agenda is useful for chunking big projects into small ones, making study plans for tests, easing anxiety, and writing questions to ask the teacher.

Checking off completed tasks is an important step in using an agenda. Talk about using a paper agenda or a digital calendar with a task list. Students often claim that it’s all on the school calendar or in their head, but neither option allows the student to record smaller steps or study sessions. Using an agenda is a life skill that sets students up to complete work on time, avoid cramming to get work done, and increase organization.

Limit Distractions

A full day of learning means that students have lots in their heads by the time they sit down to study at night. Helping them learn to limit distractions will help them stay on task and complete what they need to. Talk about putting quality ahead of just finishing the work. Talk about having materials near their study area.

Talk about how establishing study routines and using an agenda will help them organize their time and limit the distractions of sorting through a backpack or website to “find” the homework. Some students need some background noise and some need quiet. Nobody needs the TV. While not every situation will be ideal for doing homework, steps can be taken to limit distractions.

Talk about what to do when the distractions are unavoidable. Occasionally having to do homework at the medical office or on the sports bus will provide a chance to work through a challenging situation. Often times students will have creative solutions to their own situations that the parent or tutor might not have thought of. Maybe letting them try out their strategy will encourage their problem-solving skills.

Foster Independence and Confidence

Overcoming learning challenges can be difficult if the student is discouraged about school and lacks the confidence to make improvements. Parents and tutors can help foster independence and confidence by celebrating the small successes along the way. Maybe it’s as simple as complimenting your child for putting their backpack next to their work area when they get home or for remembering to write down their homework. Talk about and role play asking for help on a challenging topic or poor grade.

Teaching students to advocate for themselves does not necessarily change a bad grade but it will foster independence and confidence. Encourage your child to reread directions and edit work before turning in an assignment. Students grow in independence and confidence when they learn to take pride in their work, regardless of ability levels.

Hiring a private tutor is a good way to build confidence and help with overcoming learning challenges. If that is not an option, try these 4 strategies at home and talk with your child about each one. By providing context instead of a list of rules, you set your child or tutoring client up for success and soon there will be small wins to celebrate and more joy in the educational experiences.

Want more skill-building strategies?

https://www.tailorjoy.com/10-life-skills-for-the-launching-years/

https://www.tailorjoy.com/5-reasons-to-hire-a-private-tutor/

Table Talk: Would you rather avoid distractions or learn to deal with them? Were you a grumpy or joyful student?

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Overcoming Learning Challenges: 4 Strategies for Parents and Tutors