Recognize the Signs

       Knowing how to recognize what your child is feeling is a valuable ability when teaching. It is important to notice when your child is overwhelmed, tired, embarrassed, not able to concentrate, rebellious, bored, or ready for harder material.
        It takes time and practice to be able to recognize the signs. Is your child yawning? Is he misbehaving? Is he having trouble focusing? Is he constantly glancing at the TV? Does she have too much energy and can't stay seated? Can she not remember any English words and seems distracted? Does she seem hesitant to answer even if she knows it?

There are lots of little signs that children give that can help us know what they are feeling. If we can interpret the signs correctly, we can also try to come up with a solution that will help.

     For example, what if your 5 year old boy is practicing English with you, but is constantly moving and often looks out the window at the sunny outside?
     Perhaps he is wanting to go outside? Maybe he was hoping to play with a friend at the park. Perhaps he has too much energy and is wanting to run around, jump, and play. So you must decide if today you want to continue studying as you are or if you should do something different. Perhaps you decide to continue to study as you are until the 15 - 30 minute session is over. Maybe you'd say, "If you sit down and concentrate we can be done in 7 minutes. If not we may have to go longer." or maybe you would give him a challenge and say, "Once you can remember three flashcards you can go play." Another option might be to go outside and study. Maybe you could kick a soccer ball back and forth while saying English words. Or you could toss a baseball and have him repeat what you say. Perhaps you decide to teach English numbers by having him jump-rope. Or maybe you go on a walk and try to find object that you know the English words for.
There isn't a right or wrong way to do things. You begin to learn what worked and what didn't. What was helpful and what wasn't. What your child wanted or needed. And when to give him what he wants and when not to. It's a learning process. So next time you teach, begin to notice what your child does. Try to figure out what he needs by how he's acting. And begin experimenting with how to react. Sometimes you give him what he wants and sometimes you don't.

      Learning to recognize the signs in your child can be difficult, but it can also almost be like a game. Being aware of what your child wants can help you figure out a plan that will also get you what you want (for example: for him to learn English).

       More materials at kidswow.com. If you need more teaching materials to help teach your child, look on our website or contact us.

Handling Lack of Focus

      What do you do if your child can't concentrate?   
      If a child isn't paying attention, often I lightly touch him so that he remembers that it's time to study. Depending on why the child is not paying attention, there are many different ways to handle it. Sometimes he is bored, sometimes he is tired, sometimes he is distracted by the TV, conversations, or memories, sometimes he purposely is not concentrating, and sometimes he is trying to get attention by not studying. It takes practice to be able to guess accurately at the child's reasoning and figure out a solution. 
      If the child is not concentrating because of a lack of focus, we often try to change something so that he can focus. It might be turning off the TV, studying in a different room, teaching a different lesson, or trying a different style. If he is getting bored, I might try making the lesson more exciting. Maybe we'll stand up as we learn. Or maybe we will teach by playing a game. Maybe I will use a different tone of voice to make things sound more interesting.

People have amazing capabilities to focus on something interesting. The hard part is to teach English in a way that is interesting to the child. When you find your child or student losing focus, you know that it is time to try something different. Look at this blog post to get some ideas on a variety of ways to teach a lesson.
      Have fun! And enjoy using variety when your child can't concentrate. 

      More materials on our website kidswow.com

Lesson ideas: Dice

       Need a new idea for teaching numbers? Try using dice!
Depending on the child's level, you can use 1 or more dice. To teach the numbers 1 through 6, use one die. If you use two, you can teach 1 through 12! With three dice you can practice up to 18! With small kids we often count the dots on the dice. 1, 2, 3, 4...
       Counting with dice can be a lot of fun! Try it!


More materials on our website: kidswow.com