With the NSW Government extending the lockdown in the Hunter until mid-October, that means more home-schooling for local parents.

So, the Newcastle Weekly, with the assistance of retired educator Louise Clayton-Jones, is providing some handy tips to help mums, dads and carers get through this, often, stressful period.

There is a huge amount of helpful information and advice on www.education.nsw.gov.au

But, a recurring theme is for parents and caregivers to provide encouragement and have a positive attitude towards challenging tasks.

Carefully-worded feedback, before, during and after a task is a good way to do this.

It trains your child to view themselves as an effective learner.

This is crucial because what goes on in each student’s mind determines their approach to learning and supports growth towards independence.

Tip # One Be explicit.

Refer specifically to the learner or the task.

Tip # Two Emphasise effort in a positive way. 

Students need to relate success (or lack of success) to the amount of effort they put in.

Tip # Three   Emphasise the use of strategies.

These are both the over-arching strategies of planning, monitoring and regulating (see my previous article on learner motivation and expectations) but also the subject specific steps needed for the task in hand. There are no dumb kids, but there are dumb strategies.

Tip # Four Avoid well-meant emotional support.

You might be training your child to think that not much is expected of them. This feeds into learned helplessness (“I’m dumb”) and ego protection (“If I don’t try, I can’t be blamed for failing”).  

Here are some common feedback expressions.

Have a go at working out whether they will help your child to be in control of their effort and strategies.  

• Good.
• What went wrong?
• I’m proud of you.
• You need to concentrate.
• What do you think?
• Clever work!

Often feedback is best as part of a conversation, rather than a summative comment, so the same words in a different context can contain quite a different message.

I hope you enjoy this challenge.

Louise Clayton-Jones

Retired educator

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