Sadly, there’s a lot of stigma around reluctant learners. In the past, those with learning difficulties were deemed ‘unintelligent’ or ‘unacademic’. But this isn’t the case.
A child can become a reluctant learner at any point, even if they’ve typically displayed excellence at school, and it’s usually due to personal issues going on at school or at home.
Here, Anglicare Victoria outlines several strategies to engage reluctant learners.
Gain trust
Gaining trust in reluctant learners is one of the main ways we want to encourage them. Reluctant learners often have a hard time relating or trusting their educators, so trust is a key element in helping them thrive.
Personalise learning
If one way of learning simply isn’t working, it’s time to personalise the approach. Some students learn better in certain ways than other ways. While reading and writing learning may be the traditional approach, perhaps a reluctant learner would benefit from a visual learning approach instead.
Immersive technology
Immersive technology can be used inside and outside of the classroom to encourage reluctant learners. Using immersive technology is part of a process called active learning – where students are encouraged to actively take part in the classroom, rather than simply listen to an explanation by the teacher.
Whether this involves a fun, informal quiz using iPads or using interactive learning via the classroom smart board, getting students to actively learn can often encourage a reluctant learner.
Anglicare Victoria’s Meridian program
Anglicare Victoria is proud to deliver the Meridian Youth and Family Therapy program. This program is dedicated to assisting local youth in overcoming a range of different issues, including a reluctance to learn.
Our specialist counsellors are here for young people who are exhibiting signs of disinterest in school, or outright school refusal. We offer support to local youth in the form of therapeutic services, helping them overcome troubles that are causing their learning reluctance.
How our Meridian Youth and Family Therapy helps reluctant learners
Personal issues experienced by young people can have a huge impact on their ability, or willingness, to perform at school. By addressing the range of possible issues going on in their life, our Meridian program seeks to improve the willingness of young people to attend school and engage. The Meridian Youth and Family Therapy program addresses personal issues such as:
- Adolescent violence in the home
- Anxiety
- Behavioural problems
- Bullying
- Couple and parenting conflict
- Depression
- Family breakdown
- Gaming & internet misuse
- Grief and loss
- Parent-adolescent conflict
- Parenting and co-parenting issues
- Sexual identity & gender issues
- School refusal
- Social isolation
- Step–family issues
Get in touch with Anglicare Victoria if you’re struggling to engage a reluctant learner. We strengthen relationships and improve family functioning while also focusing on the evolving needs of the young person. Many of the families referred to the Meridian program want to find solutions to their problems and we know that each person in the family is impacted differently when there are worries, problems or conflict and communication difficulties. Contact Anglicare Victoria to learn more about how we can assist you.
