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Technique |
How... |
| 1 |
Find materials you think the child will be interested in. Choose something harder than the child would be able to manage without your help.
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A search engine can be used to find articles. There are also many searchable sites for kids with content on a variety of topics. Keep your eyes open as you do your own reading! You may find something in the local newspaper or a magazine in the doctor's office... |
| 2 |
Engage the child in what is being read. Try to keep them reading actively for meaning.
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Ask the child to predict what an article or paragraph is going to be about based on the title or first sentence. Ask the child to make up a quiz for another child to try to figure out if he/she understood the material. Ask the child to summarize a paragraph or outline a selection. |
| 3 |
Try several different activities during a session rather than always spending large chunks of time on one activity. Reinforce learning through access to the same material via different means.
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Make sure that the child is paying attention during the activity and that enough time is spent that something is learned. Try to observe the methods that seem to help the child stay focused --- people learn in very different ways! |
| 4 |
Novelty can help with attention (and retention) and therefore technology itself as a novelty can help focus attention.
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Try working on the computer with the child, but also try at least one thing each month that's a little different --- a new type of book, a new game, etc. |
| 5 |
If you really can't get the child focused after trying some of these things, try talking with the Program Coordinator about it.
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Perhaps an Individualized Program is needed for the child, or, since personality is a large factor, perhaps another tutor should be considered. |
See the chapter on the Web.
