Scribd
Upload
148 views

Telling Your Slow Learner He Needs Extra Attention

The document discusses "slow learners" and argues against labeling children in a demeaning way. It provides characteristics of children who may be labeled as slow learners, such as reaching milestones later, having trouble concentrating, and struggling with simple concepts. The document advises parents to slow down the pace for children, give them the tools and environment to excel, and be patient and supportive in helping them complete tasks. The goal is for every child to reach their potential, even if their path is different than others.

Uploaded by

Leong kar yee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
148 views

Telling Your Slow Learner He Needs Extra Attention

The document discusses "slow learners" and argues against labeling children in a demeaning way. It provides characteristics of children who may be labeled as slow learners, such as reaching milestones later, having trouble concentrating, and struggling with simple concepts. The document advises parents to slow down the pace for children, give them the tools and environment to excel, and be patient and supportive in helping them complete tasks. The goal is for every child to reach their potential, even if their path is different than others.

Uploaded by

Leong kar yee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

ersonally, I despise the term 

slow learner. To label children as anything at all is


deplorable, but to label them as ‘slow’ is demeaning and degrading–not to mention
telling them they are not as good as others.
But nevertheless, there are children who do need extra help and who do need
specialised teaching to allow them to learn and grow. Does this make them a slow
learner? Maybe, but remember–if you tell someone they are something long enough
and loud enough they will become just that.

It’s important to help slow learners find the right pace so they can excel
Telling your slow learner he needs extra attention
One of the most difficult tasks of parents and educators is to determine if their child is a
slow learner because they cannot keep up with others or because they choose not to
keep up with others.

A child who is labeled a ‘slow learner’ is one who:

 Reaches normal infant and toddler milestones later than the average child on a
consistent basis. These milestones include crawling, walking, speech and
vocabulary and motor skills such as clapping, hopping, skipping, recognising eyes,
ears, etc.
 Has trouble concentrating–all children have limited attention spans. but those
who have trouble concentrating for more than two or three minutes at a time and are
unable to recall what they did in that time and/or repeat what they did without
instruction or prompting later on, will likely be in need of specialised attention and be
labeled ‘slow learners’.
 Struggles with the simplest of concepts and has difficulty retaining what they
learn. This is a true indicator of a child with a learning disability. But rather than
focusing on the disability, focus on finding how to work with the disability to make it
less of an issue.
 Is socially immature or reclusive. Children who are labeled ‘slow learners’ will a)
notice the fact that they are ‘slow’ or learning at a different pace or b) be singled out
by the teacher and/or their peers as being ‘slow’. This is embarrassing, humiliating
and demeaning to a child. Their self-esteem and confidence levels suffer
tremendously and they withdraw in an effort to shield themselves from the pain–
holding it inside themselves.

A parent’s responsibility
If your child is labeled a ‘slow learner’, then slow things down for them. Give them the
grace and time they need and deserve to reach their potential. Provide for them the
environment and tools necessary to excel.
Think about it–if your child was a gifted musician, wouldn’t you do whatever you could to
make sure they were able to develop that talent to the fullest? No child deserves any
less of a chance.
What you can do to help your child
 Provide a quiet work/study area. Distractions are detrimental.
 Keep assignments and homework sessions short. Again, it’s the attention
span thing.
 Be accessible. Help your child. Help doesn’t mean do the work for them, but
help them work through the assignment giving clues, having them repeat the
process or concept with similar questions and problems, etc.
 Ask questions such as ‘what does that word mean?’ ‘do you see how that
works?’ ‘why did you choose that answer?’.
 Read to your child.
 Be patient and consistent.
 Do not allow them to give up on their work or themselves. If necessary, take a
break, but always come back to the task and see it through to completion.
 Don’t be overprotective. Labelling your child as a ‘slow learner’ only makes
them feel slower. Don’t ever tell them they can’t accomplish something. Instead,
help them find a way to get it done–in their own time.
 Be their advocate. Stay connected with their teachers and make sure your child
doesn’t fall through the cracks of the system.

Every child has potential. Not every child will be a doctor, nuclear scientist or college
professor. But who cares! If they were, we’d be hungry, naked and wouldn’t have a cell
phone to chat on, now would we.

You might also like