“Remedial learner” is a label that many do not appreciate. However, it is a term that encapsulates the challenges faced by just over 14% of learners. Schools for slow learners need to be equipped to assist with these challenges.
Remedial learners could have normal intelligence. Some even have above-average intelligence. Despite this, they need extra help and attention. With these, they have fallen behind their peers. They could be as much as two or three years behind where they should be.
Remedial learning is not considered a disability
As we have written about before, slow learners are not a category that has official recognition. This has meant that they often fall through the cracks in programmes that seek to help learners who struggle in their academics.
These students require special support from teachers and parents. However, the mainstream schools do not cater for their particular needs. And, these learners would not be eligible for most remedial schools.
What are remedial learners?
Remedial learners are children who develop in the appropriate stages at a pace markedly slower than their peers – but not at a slow enough rate or inadequate rate to be considered disabled.
In the description of the characteristics of remedial learners could describe many children with learning deficits. But again, the deficit in remedial learners does not amount to what would be considered a disability.
Characteristics of Remedial Learners
A typical remedial learners experiences issues in many spheres of life.
Interaction and Social Skills
These children often daydream a lot.
Socially, remedial learners are often somewhat unstable and immature. They can be very self-conscious. Their behaviour when interacting with other children can follow unhelpful or anti-social patterns. Their temper can flair very unexpectedly. They might not display good judgement. These are often well-meaning children who battle with these issues through no fault of their own.
They often prefer to play alone or with younger children. They can struggle in a group scenario.
Academic Issues
As we will see, there are many reasons that slow learners are often what would be considered underachievers. Many of these children have short attention spans. Learning difficulties are compounded for slow learners. Their ability to remember what they have learned is often lacking. And this is of course after being slow to learn to begin with.
These learners need to be taught directly. Many cannot make links between what they are learning unless someone teaches them specifically. Incidental learning does not happen for the slow learner. Application of ideas and concepts cannot take place in the minds of slow learners. Only what has been taught directly has any hope of being retained and understood.
Language difficulties
Many remedial learners find it easier to read silently. This is because language can be an issue for these children. They do not express themselves well with words. Articulation is not easy for them.
This does mean that they struggle to make others understand everything they want to tell them.
Difficulties with visual motor ability
These learners may have physical movements that are awkward. They could also complain about diverse physical problems. Many prefer oral teaching to visual teaching. Differentiating between shapes is a challenge for them. Similar-looking objects can be very confusing. Recall and categorising of objects can be very difficult for slow learners.
Poor handwriting can be a symptom of remedial learning. As a coping mechanism, these kids often adopt part learning, rather than whole learning.
Difficulties in auditory ability
Many remedial learners will provide answers that are irrelevant to the question. This is because the identification of sounds is difficult for them. Writing from dictation is very difficult too.
How do I help my remedial learner?
remedial learners often struggle with self-esteem. To address this, you need to be supportive of them as people.
The first way to help a remedial learner is to build on their strengths. Focus on what they are good at. If they are kind and generous, let them know you know that. If they are helpful at home, encourage them that being helpful is important. This goes for other talents and traits too. If they do sport, music or acting well, encourage them in those areas.
Of course, we want to see our children reading, writing and doing maths proficiently. But let them know that there is more to being a good child than just excelling in academics.
Enrol them in some extracurricular activities that they enjoy. Let them join a children’s theatre group once a week. Take them a karate class if they want to do that. Do not overburden them with these past times now. But find ways to encourage them in what they are good at and support them in that.
If weekly classes are not an option, find holiday programmes that develop their strengths.
Interacting with your remedial learning child
Do not label your child. The category is helpful in discussing the issues they face. But to continually bring it up will not be helpful.
Patience with your children is one of the most important factors in helping and supporting you child. This is even more true with a remedial learner.
Helping remedial learners with their schoolwork
Don’t overwork a remedial learner. It takes immense effort for them to grasp a concept. Allow them breaks. But do not let them give up. Find the balance with perseverance and rest to keep them going.
Because these kids get easily distracted, find them a quiet spot to study. Eliminate all distractions.
Asking questions step-by-step will help them slowly learn the lessons being reviewed.
Be available to help. Guide your child through the homework and assignments. Do not complete the work for them. That will not help them in any meaningful way.
Break down the work they need to do into small tasks. This also helps them manage their short attention span. It will also be a valuable skill throughout life.
Remember to recognise their effort. Appropriate rewards for their endeavours can do wonders to keep these kids motivated. Be genuinely appreciative of the energy the kids put into trying to do their work.
Find a good school that values them as more than just students
Another very important facet is to find a school that caters to the needs of remedial learners. This school must also value them for the people they are. It should recognise their worth and not just focus on their lack of academic ability.
In the classroom, the teaching needs to be rigorous and concrete. The teachers need to understand how much the remedial learners need repetition. As said above, it cannot be abstract. The connections between lessons and learning must be taught in an explicit manner.
Japari is a school equipped to welcome Remedial Learners
Japari has a long track record of helping children who struggle with learning. Our teachers have the expertise and heart to see struggling children overcome their academic hurdles. When mainstream schooling has not met the needs of these special children, we can help. We are experts in remedial education. This focuses on filling the gaps children may have developed in their primary school careers.
Contact us today to arrange a meeting. Come and see who we are and what we offer. We would love to discuss your child’s specific needs. We will work with you to see your child achieve their full potential.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/how-do-life/201912/your-slow-learner
https://www.voicesnap.com/blog/motivate-slow-learner
https://www.edubloxtutor.com/slow-learner/
