“He doesn’t study at all!” “She should study more!” “We always fight about studying!”
Those are concerns frequently discussed by parents of my students in my office, as they wonder about their children's progress and how they can be helpful. This highlights the issue of organizational strategies for students with dyslexia and their impact on learning.
Before delving into practical strategies, we must ask ourselves why students do not engage in studying. By attempting to identify the root cause of such behavior, we can apply strategies with a higher likelihood of success in assisting our students.
It is important to note two things regarding students with Specific Learning Disorders (SpLDs): firstly, they often lack metacognitive skills such as self-monitoring, goal setting, or planning. Enhancing these skills can empower them to take control of their own learning and develop effective strategies to overcome associated challenges. Secondly, dyslexia can affect working memory, the "engine of learning."
Text by: Vicky Dimitroula
Working memory plays a crucial role in holding and manipulating information in the mind for completing tasks and is integral to various cognitive processes, including learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. However, working memory has limitations in terms of duration and capacity. Therefore, investing time and effort in developing these skills can be highly beneficial for students with SpLDs since:
- They can become self-aware and take responsibility for their learning.
- It saves time and energy.
- It can transform studying from a tiresome and boring procedure into a productive one.
Here are some practical tips for teachers and parents:
- Get it clean and lean: Create a clean and organized study space. Find a quiet and comfortable area for studying and keep it clean and organized. Use folders, both physical and digital, as well as baskets or binders to store and categorize materials. Minimize distractions such as noise, clutter, notifications, and excessive visual stimuli to enhance concentration. However, playing music at a low volume can be beneficial. YouTube offers numerous focus music playlists of different genres for students to choose from.
- Establish a structured routine: Despite the fast-paced daily schedule, it is important to establish a routine for homework and studying, similar to regular scheduled classes. A consistent routine that includes designated study times, preferably when the student feels less tired, can improve focus and productivity.
- Utilize visual aids: Incorporate visual aids like diagrams, mind maps, or flashcards to supplement your student's learning. These aids can help with information organization, memory retention, and make studying more engaging.
- Manage time effectively: Keep in mind that students with SpLDs exert significant effort to keep up with school goals and are more likely to get tired easily compared to typical students. Breaking study sessions into manageable intervals can prevent mental fatigue and enhance concentration. The Pomodoro Technique can be a useful approach, where a student works for a specific amount of time (e.g., 25 minutes) and then takes a short break of 5 minutes. The proportion between study and break time should be adjusted based on the student’s age and needs. Additionally, using a clock as a visual aid can be helpful.
- Incorporate movement: You may have noticed that some students frequently ask to use the bathroom during lessons, claim to be thirsty, or become restless in their seats. Often, there is no physical need behind these behaviors. It is their brain’s way of taking a pause from information processing overload due to a short attention span. Allow them to stretch or walk around, and provide stress-free fidgeting toys. Moreover, there are brain break videos on YouTube that engage students in short, fun choreographies. It’s worth trying!
- Set achievable goals: Ever wondered why your students don’t study or don’t study as much as expected? Helping students keep their goals attainable is important both practically and emotionally. Large tasks can feel overwhelming and make it harder to concentrate. Break them down into smaller, more manageable parts in terms of quantity and quality. Focus on one part at a time, creating a visual to-do list that clearly outlines the steps toward completion.
- Maintain consistency: Whatever technique you choose to apply, encourage your students to remain consistent in their efforts and not give up at the first difficulty they face. Promote consistency as a valuable skill not only for academic success but also for life in general!
- Seek support: Whether you are a parent or a teacher, build a network of fellow teachers, other parents, and specialized staff with whom you can communicate your students’ needs and yours. These people can provide additional resources or guidance to help you achieve the set goals.
- Practice self-care: Physical and mental well-being is particularly important for students, parents, and teachers alike. Establishing a balanced diet, sleep routine, and allocating time for relaxation and enjoyable activities can reduce stress and positively impact concentration.
- Acknowledge and praise effort: Lastly, focus on the effort, not just the result, and praise it throughout the process. Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as concentration strategies may vary from person to person. It may take some trial and error to find the strategies that work best for your students.
In conclusion, metacognitive skills extend beyond language learning; they are a valuable "toolbox" that will accompany our students throughout their lives. As teachers and parents, we aspire to see our students thrive and become independent, self-content adults, in addition to achieving academic success.
