Strategies for teaching reluctant learners include slowing down the pace and changing activities if one is not working, setting small achievable goals, involving students in choosing activities, and not giving up on encouraging reluctant students to participate. Reluctance should not be confused with disobedience, and it is not personal - teachers should continue trying different approaches.

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Title:
Dealing with Reluctant Students
Description:
Strategies for teaching a reluctant learners
Author:
Alan Rudt
Original Date:
October 2013
Revised On:
October 2013
Here are a few pointers on teaching a reluctant learner:
Slow Down
Just because a principal, book, learning standard, friend or collegue tells you a child
should be able to do X, Y, and Z at a certain age doesn’t mean they can. Slow down. Be
patient.
Change it Up
If an activity isn’t working for a child, take a break from it. Try something new or use the
same curriculum differently.
Set Small Achievable Goals
Don’t overwhelm your students with a laundry list of activities.
Involve Them in the Process
Children like to have control over something, so let them have a say in the choice of
activities.
Don’t Give Up
Don’t get discouraged. While it might seem easier to ignore a reluctant child and let
them daydream or play on the computer all day, continue to encourage them to join the
action.
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Don’t Confuse Reluctance with Disobedience
Likewise, reluctance does not justify disobedience, so set guidelines and boundaries for
them.
It’s Not About You
Don't blame yourself... just keep on truckin'!
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