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how about trying to get the children to play characters in a book. The concentration is taken away from the child who stutters or the child who has difficulty, because what they are doing is creating a character, and it is perhaps this character who has the problem, just like in real life, and children relate more kindly to the child who errs when they are playing someone else.

Math.

Math is difficult enough to grasp for young people though most know all about sharing. This will have been something reinforced by most parents. Sharing helps youngsters to understand fractions. Cut a cake in half, and they understand that this makes two portions. Introduce fractions by example, not even bringing the right names into the picture until the child has grasped the concept of sharing.

Using this you can introduce addition, subtraction and division, and gradually gain a child's understanding by practical example. Setting up a shop within the classroom and giving the children play money helps them to understand if they have been short-changed or given too much change. Role playing as shopkeeper and customer is fun, and the children associate the learning with pleasure instead of dread.

Leisure.

Many children have special skills. One may paint and one may be particularly clever with words. Introducing little certificates for each child based on their own individual skill is a great way to encourage. For every child, there is a strength and a good teacher will find out what that strength is. Whether it is punctuality, helpfulness, cheerfulness, academic achievement or gift, each child needs that recognition that they are special.

Many do not get this within the confines of their homes, especially in areas of deprivation, and by reinforcing positive achievement, the difference this makes to a child is enormously motivating. Although there are some that say that the presentation of awards to everyone makes those awards have little meaning, a teacher who is creative in their approach can indeed show the whole classroom that each of those skills or gifts has its merits in real life. The award for the most helpful child has as much meaning to a child as the award for academic achievement. It isn't what the awards are, but the fact that the teacher found some strength within the personality of the child that made them shine.

Creative methods of teaching allow a teacher more chance of overall success with the children they teach. It also takes the child through the process of growing and learning with someone who has time to devote to them as an individual, and can introduce systems which allow every child to see results of some kind or other. These results in turn lead to an enjoyment of the learning process, and it is this which can make or break the attitude of a child towards learning and wanting to learn. That is where the real skill of teaching lies, seeing each class move on with not only skills, but the ability to acquire them.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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