Inspiring a Reluctant Learner
by Mimi Rothschild
Maybe you’re one of the blessed ones and all of your children pay perfect attention and are thrilled to participate in all their subjects. But if you’re like most, you have at least one student that makes completing math problems or writing a paragraph like pulling teeth. So what can you do to inspire that reluctant learner? There are lots of simple things you can do. Here are a few to get you started:
- Be Passionate. Don’t just read. Use funny voices, or act it out. Don’t simply explain how to do long division, but turn it into a math game. Let your passion for what you are doing, teaching, pass through whatever you are teaching. Students tend to get excited about what their instructor is excited about.
- Be Vulnerable. If there are certain things that you also struggled with when you were a student, be honest. Share that with your children. Sometimes it can be inspirational to them just to know that they are not alone. It also helps to see that you overcame your barriers.
- Make It Real. Tell real-life stories and give actual scenarios within your lessons whenever possible, to make boring material come alive. Acting out stories and conducting science experiments bring to life the lessons on the page. Children tend to get bored and become less cooperative when they don’t understand something, so putting things into perspective and making it real to them can make the world of difference.
- Encourage, encourage, encourage. And when you’re done, encourage some more. There isn’t anyone on this earth that doesn’t feel uplifted and inspired when they’re told they’re doing a great job. Children are no exception. Maybe your stubborn learner struggles with math, but they excel at science. When they get an answer right or do well on their practice work, make a big deal! Remind them frequently how intelligent and talented they are, and you will surely see a difference in their overall attitude.
- Change Things Up. Although it’s important to have structure and order to your homeschool day, sometimes just making some minor changes to surprise your students can help get them back on track with learning. Instead of doing English in the morning, start off with the subject you usually reserve for the end of the day. The change can be refreshing for everyone.
- Don’t Forget to Pray! I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of this, but just in case….remember to incorporate your desire for cooperation and good attitudes from your students into your devotional (and let them hear it). Suggest that your reluctant learner also ask the Lord for help during the day to stay focused and encouraged. And remind them daily of what the Bible says they are capable of:
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing will be impossible.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Every student is different, and inevitably some will struggle more than others. But if you work at being creative and finding new ways to bring learning alive for them, the difference will surely be evident and remarkable.
Tags: Encouragement, homeschool, Inspiration, Learning