Studies show that students perform better when they believe in their abilities. It's not just about being smart - it's about feeling capable. That’s where it all begins: a strong foundation.
Why One Size Doesn't Fit All in Learning
I've spent years working directly with children in both academic and recreational spaces as a facilitator and as a tutor. Here's what I know for sure: some kids grasp concepts through photos/images, while others need to move around and touch to learn. And that's perfectly okay!
Spotting Your Child's Learning Style
Visual learners: They light up when seeing diagrams, charts, and pictures. Does your child doodle while thinking?
Auditory learners: These kids learn through listening. They might hum while working or remember songs easily.
Kinesthetic learners: Movement is their friend! These children learn best by doing, touching, and moving.
Building Confidence Through Understanding
The magic happens when we match learning styles with growth strategies. In my experience, here's what’s worked with past clients:
Create a "success diary": Have your child write down or draw their daily wins, no matter how small! It’s like a snowball effect; the feeling of accomplishment. For me, even as an adult, getting up in the morning, making my bed, going to the gym all set the tone and momentum for the day. Small wins, but I begin my day feeling like a winner.
Break it down: Turn big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Each small victory builds confidence. Lists work great, especially ones that can be checked off. Be realistic with time and set your child up for success. Don't forget to break things up with rewards/break time.
Celebrate the process: Instead of saying "You're so smart!" try "I love how hard you worked on that!" Make the moment enjoyable however you can - maybe it’s having a special snack during work time (not after, but during), or getting out of the house for a work date at the coffee shop/bakery. Think about what your child enjoys (that makes sense) and try pairing it with the less desirable moments.
When the Going Gets Tough
Struggling is normal! It's where the real learning happens, though. Help your child understand that mistakes aren't failures - they're stepping stones to success, brick by brick. Perseverance is a life skill that will take little ones so far. What's important is learning how to struggle, how to fail, how to fall, how to get back up and try again or try differently.
Action Steps for Parents, Caregivers and Educators
Observe how your child prefers to learn new things
Adapt homework strategies to match their learning style
Create a positive learning environment that celebrates effort
Share your own learning challenges and how you overcame them
Confidence isn't about being the best… at all! It's about believing you can always improve.
Podcast Episode: Cheater, Cheater Pumpkin Eater
Story Overview: No matter how hard Santana studies for her spelling tests, she just can’t seem to get a passing grade. After hours of repeatedly writing out words in hopes of memorization, Santana’s frustration leads her to make the decision to…. CHEAT on her upcoming test. But one thing about a novice cheater: they’re gonna get caught! Instead of giving her detention, Mr. Rajkumar digs deep to help Santana discover learning strategies that work for HER.
Hint hint: it’s writing and reciting her spelling words into raps, lol!
Recommended Reading for Parents/Caregivers/Educators: To Study the Effect of Academic Achievement on the Level of Self – confidence
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