Teaching students how to ask for Help

Why is it so difficult for pupils to approach professors for extra help? Why do they sit in silence or be perplexed when raising their hand could assist? Asking for help can have an impact on a student’s academic achievement, self-esteem, and future learning opportunities. There are a variety of reasons why students find it difficult to ask for assistance, but the good news is that there are a variety of tactics that can help them become better self-advocates for their learning.

Students must first admit that they are having difficulties. This necessitates candor and self-awareness, as some students may not believe they require assistance, despite formal or informal assessments indicating otherwise. Students may experience guilt or humiliation once they admit they’re having difficulties. Some people believe that asking for help demonstrates weakness or failure in character, even though adults can remind children that asking for aid demonstrates maturity and strength.

By teaching students how to ask for help, teachers may help them understand how they learn best and empower them to be champions for their learning. Let us know more about it. 

What are the strategies that can help students to improve their skills?

Hey folks, don’t worry, you will get the solution to your problem without hesitation. Below are the tips that will show how you can enhance your skills:

1. Improve students’ metacognition:

Improving students’ self-reflection and metacognitive skills is one way to help them recognize that they require assistance. Teachers and parents frequently serve as external monitors of students’ progress, but as early as elementary school, they might begin to pass the task of self-monitoring to children. 

Teachers can use explicit metacognitive teaching to promote and support students in thinking about their learning. Have students respond to questions regarding how they studied, how much time they spent studying, their test grade, and what they’ll do differently for the next test after a test, for example. Students can learn to measure their development and discover areas where they are strong and where they need help by asking open-ended questions about their learning. 

2. Assist pupils in understanding that professors wish to assist them:

It can be eye-opening to ask pupils of any age why an adult would choose teaching as a vocation. 

3. Brainstorm conversation starters:

Introverted or shy students may be intimidated or nervous about starting a conversation with their teacher. This type of dialogue can be practiced or role-played to assist shy students to gain confidence. Teachers can also propose that pupils use only two words to indicate that they require assistance: “I’m having trouble.”

Brainstorming with kids has been shown to improve mental flexibility and problem-solving creativity. Have them role-play conversing with a teacher once they’ve thought of ways to start a conversation. This can be done in a school setting as a small group exercise or one-on-one with a trusted teacher, social worker, parent, or other adults. Teachers can be approached by students with conversation starters such as:

  • I’m having trouble with it. Is it okay if we talk about it later? 

4. Establish a safe environment:

Students must feel protected to be vulnerable and honest enough to seek assistance. If you believe your peers would laugh at you if you spoke out and admitted you needed help, would you do so? Teachers should promote a culture of curiosity, risk-taking, and openness in their classrooms. Create posters that restate your classroom rules and ideals, place inspirational quotes on the walls, and employ team-building activities to strengthen the sense of community in the classroom. Another excellent method is for teachers to practice positive self-talk when doing something that demands taking risks.

5. Help students believe in their ability to succeed:

To seek help, students must believe in their ability to succeed. Students who feel discouraged or powerless are less inclined to seek help. Create opportunities for students to recognize and emphasize their abilities in your classroom through activities and opportunities. Making an “I Am” bulletin board is a fun exercise for elementary students: Ask each kid to write five or ten “I Am” statements, such as “I am strong,” “I am a fantastic football player,” and so on. Next, have students choose photos that illustrate their assertions online or in publications and construct a collage of words and pictures.

Conclusion

In this article, you come to know how students can vanquish their hesitation and be comfortable in asking for help from teachers. By teaching students how to ask for help, teachers may help them understand how they learn best and empower them to be champions for their learning. I hope it will be helpful for you all. 

Carter Martin

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