How to Be Patient when Teaching Phonics to Slow Learners

It's important to keep your patience when teaching kids phonics.

Teaching children phonics, the art of sounding out words and reading words based on the sounds their letters make, can sometimes be frustrating if it is taking a while for the lessons to stick. Being patient when teaching phonics is important, however, as it will give the students the best chance for learning the material and not become frustrated themselves. Some practices will help you retain your patience when teaching phonics and give the best lesson possible.

Instructions

1. Try new avenues when students becomes stuck on a particular phonics lesson. For instance, if they are having trouble understanding the sound a word makes try comparing it to a different word. If students are struggling with sounding out 'bark,' see if they can sound out 'ball' instead. Sometimes, taking a different approach will help enlighten the child.

2. Take breaks if you feel you're about to lose your patience. Walking away for a few minutes and concentrating on something else will help you not lose your patience with the child, and will make you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the phonics lesson anew after a brief interlude.

3. Implement an incentives program for both the students and yourself. As pupils complete a particular phonics lesson, give them some sort of prize, like play time or a sweet treat. Give yourself a similar reward system so you can keep calm while teaching. After each hour, make yourself a cup of tea or nibble on a piece of hard candy to treat yourself for not losing your patience.

Tips & Warnings

• Converse with fellow teachers about problems you're having with the phonics lesson. Sometime having a friend to talk to can help you retain your patience.

References

• James Demlow: Patience in Teaching