Home Problems
How do you keep students motivated when they have many problems at home?
Maria,
Like your list. It touches on so many aspects of student involvement and success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Be understanding, have empathy for them, hear what the student is going thur.
Help the student find a solution for what they are going though
I find that many times just by listening and being there for the student, helps them to get refocussed on their learning. Many students are not aware of the many resources which are available to them to assist with personal/home problems.
Listen to the student and give them support.
Hi Debra,
Good idea! Thanks for sharing it with us. This is a graphic way to illustrate that the students need to focus on what is going on in the classroom rather that being distracted in their learning.
Gary
We have something we tell all students as they begin. We keep a mat at each entrance and we tell them to wipe their feet as they come in and leave all negativity and everything going outside of the school at the door. Let this be your safe haven and let everything else go because inside the school it is all about you, the student, no one else, but YOU! ..it works!
Hi Rich,
It is a real challenge but based on your comments it sounds like you have a real clear idea of how to extent empathy and support as needed.
Gary
I sometimes have a tough time with this one. Not with empathy, but with wanting to offer too much in the way of advice. It's necessary to remind myself that empathy and understanding are all that is required. After that, I try to immediately refocus on the learning task at hand.
Sometimes the point the you listen to them is all they need. Empathy can go a long way in making them feel better about their situation. Knowing that somebody cares helps as this can be missing from their lives. If I can direct them to where they can get help I will.
Hi Peter,
Good point. At least for the time they are in class the problems of life are outside of the classroom. This temporary respite can be of great value to the learning process for these students.
Gary
I have had students who have said they enjoy being in class to get away from or have a break from problems at home. Sometimes you can use this as a motivational tool to help the student realize that education may lead to the elimination of many problems they currently experience.
Hi Jeanna,
Great support! You are setting everything in place for the students to be successful if they are willing to put forth the effort.
Gary
I reinforce to my students that my classroom is their "safe haven" from all outside obstacles. Whatever is going on at home will still be there at the end of the day, but while you are in school, nothing can touch you. I make myself available to them with questions, concerns, etc. encourage them to stay after school and study in the library. I reinforce the notion that they should be studying daily, and even tell them to "blame it on me" as far as if their parents / family members give them a hard time.
Hi Gayle,
Good way to read your students and then provide appropriate support as needed. This is so important to student success. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this.
Gary
First knowing that the student is having issues help. Once you notice that there are issues at home, I try to be supportive. Although I might not be able to fix any of the problems I ask the student if there is anything that I can do for the student that will help them be successful. Sometimes just being a good listener and offering your ear to the student helps. Sometimes depending on the problem we may have some resources at school that the student can use or at least direct them to someone who may help them.
Be supportive and encourage them not to give upremind them that there hard work will pay off in the long run.Let them know you are there to help them reach there goals.
I would try and relate one thing that is positive with their home situation and how it can benefit them or someone else in the classroom . This may give them more confidence and realize that that we all have something good to put forward.
Hi Melvin,
One way is to help them have success in class. This way they are being productive in at least one area of their life. This helps to motivate and encourage them to try and work through their personal problems and stay in school where they are enjoying some success and moving toward their career goal.
Gary
