Today’s little helpful tip to educators of young learners draws its inspiration from a reading and writing ebook that I created some time ago. It’s currently out of circulation, but I decided to bring back a main point that was addressed within its covers. And, it had everything to do with teamwork making the dream work.
In fact, a child going through educational growing pains needs a team made up of parents, teachers, and of course, the guest of honor to the whole thing — the child him- or herself. All parties are vital in making sure that developmentally successful outcomes take place in the life of that young learner.
So, sometimes the adults in the room need to slow their roll and listen to the actual child being affected by the educational plan for success. A child’s input may be the very thing that needs to be accounted for in the academic master plan. And, since I’m on the side of teacher/tutor in my educational interactions with other people’s children, I’ve decided to take the following advice for helping to make reading more enjoyable for my tutees.
My Own Advice (I’m telling myself):
Let your tutee know that you want to make reading more enjoyable and get suggestions from him or her on how to do so. Tell your tutee that you will take his or her suggestions into consideration; and then, make sure you do exactly that. Listen to the child. He or she may be telling you exactly what is needed to move forward with reading progress.
However, remember that the child is just that – a child. You (and the parent(s)) will ultimately have the final say-so over what educational direction to take with your tutee because you all are the guiding factors here. You’re the adults and must be the voice of seasoned reasoning.
And since your tutee may not be keen on reading in the first place (for any number of reasons), his or her solution may take the easy way out and be in the give-up zone. So, you (adults) have to be the super-objective individuals in the relationship. Be very deliberate and think in relation to what is in the best interest of the child (not what you as an adult would want to choose for yourself if you were a child).
Remember: this is about your student and moving him or her into a favorable reading mood and mode. Think child . . . the child you serve. Determine the best solution(s) to get him or her on track with reading, knowing the temperament and attitude you’re working with.
And your initial course of action should be adjusted, if need be. Remain flexible. When one avenue for virtual instruction doesn’t work, don’t panic. There’s always a work-around. Just take some time to do some deep deliberation, reroute your course, and get to moving again.
degreesofmaternity.com 