Topic:- In absence of professional counselor how you can counsel a slow learner

1. Who is a Slow Learning Child

A slow learning child is a child that hits his developmental markers at a much slower rate than
compared to his peers. It is commonly misunderstood that these children fail at learning or are
merely ‘dumb’. The truth is that every child has his own pace to learn and develop. Some
children naturally learn much faster, and others are known to take their time to learn the same
concepts and lessons.

2. What Causes Slow Learning in Kids?

Most parents may wonder why some children are slow learners. The truth is that there is no clear
answer. Yet, there are a few underlying reasons that can be the main causes but these causes may
not be specific to your child.

a. Trauma – Your child could have gone through a trauma in the past which is causing a
delay in his development. It is now widely accepted that trauma of any nature – be it
physical, psychological or emotional – can have the same impact on children.

b. Premature Birth – One of the reasons for problems while learning is the premature
birth. This can also be the reason behind your child having a slower rate of brain
development.

c. Medical – Another common cause for learning issues could be medical – diseases of the
brain or nervous system can cause problems for children to hit learning milestones. These
are often treatable, but when not treatable, they are manageable.

d. Pampering – The most common cause for learning delays is the over-pampering nature
of parents. At times, the learning process requires action and failure. A lot of children
who are pampered are known to have the problems solved for them, which is why they
never learn or adapt.

3. Challenges of A Slow Learning Child

A child who is diagnosed as a slow learner can face many challenges in his lifetime. He may
struggle to keep up with his peers, find it difficult to stay motivated while learning, go through
many bouts of depression or anxiety or struggle to communicate and build connections with
people.
 4. How to counsel a Slow Learner in Absence of professional counselor...

There are numerous ways to counsel a child who is a slow learner. Here are a few methods that
are known to help slow learners:

a. Praise
Motivation is one of the most essential requirements for children who are slow learners. To help
them continue learning and to keep them motivated, it is important to praise them when they get
a concept or technique correctly. Even the smallest victory should be acknowleged and praised.

b. Rewards
As with any child, a slow learning child will be motivated to stay the course and learn as much as
possible if there is a reward at the end of it. Try setting rewards for milestones to keep your child
motivated and to help him focus on the task at hand.

c. Smaller Targets
When working with a child who is a slow learner, it is important to set small targets that are
achievable and within reach. As a parent, it is your responsibilty to understand what is
achievable for your child.

d. Failure Isn’t Bad

Make sure you reinforce the notion that failure isn’t a bad thing. Be realistic with teachers and
other caregivers as well as with yourself that your child will fail more often than other children.
When he does, do not berate him. Instead, encourage him to try again.

e. Be supportive
Being vocally supportive is essential when dealing with slow learners. Encourage child to keep
at it until he succeeds. Just knowing you believe in the child will keep him motivated to keep
learning and trying.

f. Be Patient
We should not compare the child to other children. This will only de-motivate the child. Stay
patient when working with him. We should not lose our patience and scream at him, as this will
only demotivate him.

g. Keep Space for Aids

Whether it be post-it notes, reminders on calendars or calculators, keep room for visual and
auditory aids when working with child. These aids can be beneficial at a sub-conscious level.
Find aids that can be used passively so your child continues to learn