Blogs
on November 22, 2025
Children with strong writing skills will invariably develop skills essential in other areas as well. Hence, the collective efforts of teachers, parents, and the child themselves are critical in establishing writing as a regular, enjoyable, and useful activity. However, we must remember that each child has a unique pace of learning and must be guided personally according to their capabilities and interests. This ensures that they maintain their enthusiasm and love for writing throughout their learning journey and beyond, laying strong groundwork for their future academic endeavors.
In recent times, the importance of cultivating effective study skills early in children’s academic journey is increasingly being recognized. This case study examines a program implemented in a suburban elementary school in Chicago aimed at enhancing children's study strategies.
In the digital age, it's no surprise that apps are also available offering concentration exercises for children. These apps leverage visual aids and interactive challenges to enhance the focus of a child.
Feedback is a function that is often overlooked but highly beneficial. Constructive feedback fosters improvement, whether it's about how well children used a new vocabulary word or praise for how skillfully they used punctuation. It is important, however, that children are not overwhelmed or disheartened by continuous correction. Adults must maintain a balance between correction and encouragement for the child's confidence to grow.
Practices that boost memory, including rhythmic and pattern exercises, also enhance children's concentration abilities. These could be clapping in a certain rhythm, skipping with changing patterns, or playing a memory game.
Similarly, meditation and mindful breathing practices are recommended for improving concentration. These exercises require children to sit in a comfortable position, close their eyes, and focus on their breath. Through repeated practice, they learn to be present and focused, thereby enhancing their ability to concentrate.
Practicing art and craft also work wonders on children’s concentration. It involves creating something new, which requires focus, patience, and attention to detail. Be it drawing, coloring, or making a craft, these activities directly impact a child's ability to concentrate.
Post-implementation results showed promising improvements. Teachers reported a noticeable change in students' approach towards homework and studying. There was a significant decline in forgotten assignments, disorganized work, and distractions during self-study periods. Increase in test scores was another salient outcome of the program. Parent feedback also indicated an improvement in children's study habits at home.
Sarah started by recognizing that intricacies lie within simplicity. She initiated self-work on simplifying her sentences and making them more direct, and began avoiding the passive voice. For instance, instead of writing, "The man was bitten by the dog", she'd write, "The dog bit the man". This subtle shift made her writing clearer and more dynamic.
In response, the school administration launched a six-month program titled "Journey to Effective Study Skills." The program aimed to train students in time management, organization, focus, and active learning. The school collaborated with child psychologists and education experts to design the program, which was divided into different age-appropriate modules for each grade level.
Furthermore, slow and steady progress to enhance fluency was a pattern that emerged from the observations. Metacognitive strategies, such as self-questioning during reading, can significantly improve comprehension. Struggling readers often benefit from being encouraged to ask questions like, 'What did I just read?' 'What might happen next?' These strategies have been proven to enhance their understanding while reading and stimulate their problem-solving skills.
Teaching reading to struggling students remains an essential challenge faced by educators worldwide. This challenge, often undulating in complexity, connects intrinsically with individual learning styles and speed, making it necessary to adapt teaching strategies for each student's needs. The purpose of this article is to shed light on how to successfully teach reading to struggling students, based on observational research conducted in a variety of learning environments.
Observations from numerous classrooms revealed one of the most influential ways of assisting struggling readers: personalized attention. Giving students the individual attention they require helps identify their reading challenges and specific areas of weakness. It amplifies their strengths while working on their areas of improvement. Numerous observations have shown that the one-on-one approach of teaching reading not only boosts their confidence but also creates a safe space where they feel comfortable to make mistakes and learn from them.