Students are exposed to new information, new skills, and new concepts all the time. Their brain is constantly processing what they learn. However, it takes practice to make this information stick and be able to recall and apply it. Sometimes students encounter a question or problem that stops them in their tracks and makes them feel stuck. They may get frustrated when they are not immediately able to reach an answer and keep moving forward.
Teaching students how to work through these challenges and get themselves unstuck is not only rewarding for them, but it can boost their confidence and equip them with skills they can use in a variety of situations.
Be Patient
It can be tempting to jump in and give your child a hint or help them find the answer when you see they’re getting frustrated. But be patient and encourage them to work through things on their own as best they can. Let them take a quick break so they can calm down, refocus, and get back to work. Solving their problems for them doesn’t help them in the long run.
Break Things Down
Have your child re-read the question or problem slowly so they can think about what it is asking them to do. If there are multiple steps, pick out what comes first. Talk through what they’ve been learning in class and what they know how to do. Work through the problem step by step, referring back to their notes, the text, or other problems in the assignment they’ve already solved.
Talk about what is tripping them up. What are they getting stuck on? What are they having trouble understanding? Being able to verbalize their frustrations can give them a new perspective and help them approach problems from a different angle.
Focus On What They Know
Pick apart the problem to highlight important information, cross out irrelevant information, and look for key words or terms. Make sure they understand the terminology being used and can pick out what they need to solve the problem. Have them think back to similar problems they have worked on or concepts that might be related.
Ask for Help
See if they can ask a friend or classmate for help. Perhaps they can work together and help one another out. Consider comparing notes as maybe there was something that your child missed or wrote down incorrectly. Having a peer explain things in their own words can be beneficial, and your child may be more open to listening to them.
It can also be advantageous to work with a tutor. A tutor can dig deeper to uncover where there may be gaps in knowledge or understanding. They can present information in a different way and work with your child’s strengths and learning style. Developing a variety of problem solving strategies can empower your child to try different approaches when they get stuck in order to get themselves unstuck and minimize their frustration.
In addition, they can learn how to take notes more effectively, organize their thoughts, and apply what they have learned. Partner with Crafting Scholars to get your child the individualized support they need to be more successful in school. We create customized learning plans to fit their needs and goals. Contact us today to get started!