How to Tutor a Child With ADD
ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder and affects 3 percent to 5 percent of school-aged children. ADD makes it difficult for children to organize their thoughts and stay focused. When tutoring a child with ADD, it is important to make sure the child understands what is being asked of him. Making small changes on how the child is taught, such as allowing more time, monitoring tasks and repeating information are just several of the ways to make strides in tutoring a child with ADD.
Instructions
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Maintain eye contact with the child when giving verbal instruction. Keep directions simple and concise. Give one command at a time, repeat information that is unclear and check for understanding.
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Have the child write down what it is he is supposed to do. This will get him in the good habit of writing down assignments and teach him to be organized. Look over what he wrote to check for accuracy and comprehension.
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Isolate the child from noise and distractions. Keep him away from high-traffic areas, open windows, heaters and air conditioners. Avoid background noise such as radios or TVs.
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Let the child work at his own pace. This is something he may not be able to do in a school setting but can through private tutoring. Allotting extra time can reduce some of the pressure and frustration children with ADD often feel. Remember to offer encouragement and praise regularly.
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Keep a journal close by and have him write "I feel" statements. Such as, "I feel frustrated when I don't understand something right away." Children with ADD often have a difficult time verbally asking for help, so using a journal may be another means in which they can ask for help.
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Have the child use bookmarkers when reading, so not to skip lines. If possible, have her highlight important or useful information that she may want to remember.
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References
- Photo Credit open book image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
