Michael Mordecai

I try to spread it around and pick a new person to pet so that everybody gets a turn.

Dan Childers

Thanks.

Many (perhaps most) of my students (especially the younger ones) have been "coddled" all through high school to the point that every move ans decision must directed.

I like the idea of "slow withdrawal of support".

Dan.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Dan,
To answer your question directly, yes there can be too much coddling. The key is to find a balance where you can encourage the student but not enable them. They are training for a career area that demands that they perform certain tasks and have a certain knowledge base. If we coddle them too much they will fail when they get out on the job site because no one is there to "hold their hand" as they work through the situation.
A slow withdrawal of support is the best method to follow as they grow in confidence and knowledge.
Gary

John McDonnell

I agree w/Dan...I am very tough in my class. I expect the absolute best they can give me all day, every day. There is no such thing as slack in my class. These are people who are about to embark on a new career...they have to know the realities from the first day. Does that mean that I am not fair? Absolutely not! My students respond from the first day because they know they have to perform...and I get results.We have more fun in my class than you can imagine, but they also know I expect 100% participaition. They always know that there are no stupid questions, Only stupid people who don't ask.

Mac