Meet Jack (not his real name), a 10-year-old who is struggling with math and English and has recently been diagnosed with dyslexia.
Despite school support, Jack’s parents sensed the need for tailored, one-on-one assistance to prevent him from lagging behind his peers.
The challenge
Jack often feels lost and unsure, his confidence fluctuating, leaving his parents at a loss on how to improve his morale.
His parents report that Jack will know the answer one week, but the next he will say he’s not sure. Their efforts to reassure Jack and boost his confidence don’t seem to have much impact.
It’s challenging for Jack’s parents to understand his negative comments. They’ve tried to counteract them with positivity and by affirming his abilities, only to see little change.
The Solution
Through a dedicated 8-week program of one-on-one tuition, Jack has made tangible progress. Here are a few of the techniques I’ve been using:
- Actively listening to Jack, validating his feelings, and allowing him to express himself freely.
- Giving Jack a safe space to identify why he feels the way he does about the subject, without judgment.
- At every session, Jack has a safe, calm, quiet area to study. It helps him to be calm and relaxed.
- Encouraging Jack to come up with strategies to help him manage his anxiety. Jack chose deep breathing exercises because they have helped him before.
- Progressing in small steps is key to avoid Jack becoming overwhelmed. This means recognising each small achievement so that Jack can see the progress he is making more easily.
The Outcome – Success!
At the start of the coaching and academic sessions, Jack was unmotivated and lacking in confidence. During the 8 sessions, he has become more relaxed and calm when learning.
Jack has said he feels more confident in learning new things and in solving problems. Armed with skills and strategies on how to stay calm when solving problems, he is feeling much more motivated.
Jack’s parents are thrilled they can see their son enjoying school again, and feel better equipped to support him.