Who is Slow Learner ?

10 Tips to teach slow learners

1. Be patient with slow learners

The foremost aspect of teaching a slow learner is that the educator should be patient and consistent throughout the entire process. The core problem of slow learners’ education is their weak cognitive skills coupled with the slow speed learning. A teacher has to be understanding and patient toward their ability to get distracted easily and having a low attention span. Moreover, teachers must find creative ways to cope with this situation so that the entire class is not affected. One of them is patient repetition. Try repeating every basic instruction, keyword and concept time and again without being boring. Do not over speak, but over teach.

2. Seek school management’s help

Request the school to arrange special classes for slow learners after/before school. Also, check whether you can get a co-teacher or an assistant teacher for your class. This will help you concentrate better on them.

3. Engage fellow classmates in your efforts

Teach the other students to empathize with the special students. Specially ask them not to bully or tease slow learners. Inform them about their condition and how they could make a difference. Ensure you have these timely sessions in the slow learner’s absence.

4. Provide minimum homework

We all agree that homework although with its benefits is more of a burden for a child and her parent. Slow learners, in particular, find it difficult to be attentive throughout the school day, let alone coming home and completing homework assignments. For such children, quality matters over quantity. Having minimum homework would help them understand learning and reduce their anxiety. This, in turn, would maintain their enthusiasm toward school. An educator can assign and alter homework personally and leave out small details that may be of little importance. For example, a homework of writing an essay on an English chapter could be modified to reading the chapter twice, and telling the summary to the teacher would be a better idea.

5. Let a buddy teach

Peer tutoring works better for slow learners. When their teachers are of the same age, they get encouraged. Let them select 1 or 2 of his friends to form a study group. Assign the study group the task of reiterating the new teachings of the day and assisting with homework.

6. Encourage and Teach the right things

Invite them to come forward during art classes, school activities, or volunteering. Recognize and reward their participation. This would do wonders to their self-confidence. Teach special skills rather than unnecessary skills. This may include following the correct instruction words (count, color, circle, etc.) or listening and focusing on keywords. Remember the main goal is to make them self-sufficient.

7. Give them special takeaways

Hand out special cheat sheets, mini dictionaries, or visually graphic information sheets. One good idea is to give lesson pamphlets for pinning them to their soft boards so that they are surrounded by constant reminders of lessons and activities. Do check out our stash of Math tips and tricks to help motivate them.

8. Praise and raise them

Always praise every tiny effort of a slow learner in front of the class or in public. This would raise their self-esteem and confidence.

9. Encourage constant Parent–Teacher Association

Work very closely with their parents. Ensure the homework and tasks assigned are successfully completed on a daily basis. Be accessible and open to communication. Make sure to listen out to parents’ problems and help to solve them. Conduct special meetings for their parents of apart from the general PTA meets.

10. Lastly, a few don’ts:

• Do not reprimand in front of the class. You may do that in private.
• Do not emphasize on writing, concentrate on reading. Oral education is more beneficial for them.
• Do not let them quit trying. Encourage them to continue their hard work to complete their tasks even if it means postponing it.
• Do not be overprotective. Let their slow learning not become their introduction.

We all need to remember and timely remind ourselves while teaching slow learners that it is okay to let them learn things slowly than not learn at all. If you find this post beneficial, please leave us a comment.Also, do read our posts by our experts in Child Psychology and behavior. Remember, no student should be left behind. Best of luck!

Regarding the person you think of as "might be a slow learner", Please chose at least one Tip that you think as fits for his case. write it in the comments box below.