One of the greatest challenges that an educator might encounter in his profession is a child who is a slow learner. Children learn at different rates yet there are some who are slow to learn but don’t have a learning deficiency. These children are not classified into the category of special education. They show no evidence of having a medical problem. They simply perform poor in school or a particular subject.

Slow learners are frequently immature in their relations with others and do poorly in school. They cannot do complex problems and work very slowly. Perhaps the most frustrating trait is their inability to have long-term goals. They live in the present, and so have significant problems with time management probably due to a short attention span and poor concentration skills.

In reality, there is a growing need for help to remediate these children and provide them the best possible opportunities in a changing world. There are two commonalities observed by the teachers with slow learners. First, they need extra time to complete tasks. Parents must be willing to supplement what happens at school. Secondly, the child must be offered appropriate incentives. Proper motivation can make a difference on how the child pursues his studies.

The next area that should be taken into account is proper nutrition. Did your pupil take breakfast? Every study done points out that a quality breakfast and proper sleep are the best two ways to improve performance.

As a final point, a teacher or parent must seek lessons and other resources that can make learning more vital and relevant on the part of the child. Once the pupil’s weaknesses have been diagnosed, the teacher should do the craft to lend a hand among her pupils.

By: Heizel C. Malagueño | T-II | Dinalupihan Elementary School | Dinalupihan, Bataan