Extra Lessons: Does your child need them?

A True Story

A parent came to me concerning her child. She was lamenting on the effort she has put in in ensuring her child gets better by the day all to no avail. While she was communicating with us, we sent for the child. On his arrival, we asked the child what was wrong and what else should be done so as to improve his performance. Then, he mentioned extra lessons. Right from within, I spoke out; you don't need extra lessons, but a change of attitude towards studies and life. I even told his Mum to remove him from the one he currently attends. Why such a response? Follow me and you will find out why.

Source: Pixabay

As an experienced teacher, I've come to find out that teaching over a long period of time without pausing to take a break can be very devastating on the students. At that point, the brain is at its peak of assimilation. So, adding extra lessons or classes at such point won't add up at all. That is why more students remain the same or worse even with extra lessons. The brain is saturated at that point and needs rest. If you have been careful to observe, you will find out students do better in the early hours of the day as against latter hours. So, adding extra lessons at that point will look like you pouring water into a vessel that's already filled. It will just be pouring out and get wasted.

Let me be very loud and clear, extra lessons won't help for an average child but will do for an extremely bright child. I'll explain. What the average child needs is pay more attention to what he has already been taught at school. If he can't do that, how do expect him to comprehend what's been taught at extra lessons? I remember about four weeks back when we called for a water tanker to supply us water. They came, filling the two tanks but was unable to fill the third because they couldn't access it with a ladder. The whole of that extra water was apparently wasted because there was no extra vessel to put it in. Remember the parable of the three servants? Yes!!!! That's exacting what I'm talking about. To him who has, more will be given. To him who has not, the one he has will be taken from him. So, loading that average kid with extra lessons won't have any effect. To those who have used their brains well, extra lessons can do. But to those still struggling with school work, it's a no-no.

So, what really works?

Source: Pixabay

I can tell you what works because I was there in the early stages of my schooling. What works is that parents should take it upon themselves to read with their children no matter how busy they are. If both parents are busy, then set a timetable to alternate who will be reading with the child everyday or weekends. That is what works. That was how I improved as a kid then. I understand what parents do, they think making their kids or ward attend extra lessons is going to take the burden of revising with their child off them. Remember the words of Jesus in John 10 about the shepherd and the hireling. The good shepherd (which in this case is You as a parent) gives his life for the sheep. You have the love and emotions towards your child which he or she can never get from an extra lesson. The hireling (which in this case is the teacher) will only try his or her best in the convenient way. And if it is not working, will turn away. Some times, what those kids require might just be you expressing your love and affection towards them.

Motivating them and telling them they can can also go a long way. No matter how dull (no child is dull) a child is, never affirm that situation. Instead, call out what you want to see in your child and keep affirming him. You will see him rise like never before. Words can build. Words can also destroy. Never affirm what is negative in the life of your child. Appreciate the good things you see in them, the good things you see them do, and warmly correct them on the things they did wrong (don't hesitate to use the rod though if needed). As a teacher, I use the rod but with caution so as not to pay hospital bills (Laughs). Rewarding them when they are in the right is a good form of motivation too, but should outgrow it when they are matured. So, what is the use of extra lessons, you may ask?

The real reason for extra lessons

Earlier this year, when we selected our brightest students to represent us in the Cowbell mathematics competition, we picked a JSS II student to complete the junior category, and a SSS I student to complete the senior category. In both cases, both students are intelligent but have not covered the syllabus for the respective stages. Even the other students need extra tutoring at that point. So, the mathematics teacher decided to have extra lessons as early as 6:30am for all of them. Guess what? It worked. They were grabbing it faster than others would have. The reasons for extra lessons should be the following:

I. To prepare students (excellent students) for external competition
II. To cover up or complete the topics not yet completed
III. To stretch the intelligent minds. They are very good, they can be better.

For the second point I gave, there are some subjects that can be difficult to finish the schemes. Chemistry and Mathematics are examples of such subjects. And SSS II scheme can also be difficult to complete too because students just have first term in SSS III to learn. From second to third term, exams begin. So, in SSS II/III, extra lessons can be introduced at that point. It would make sense. So, answer the question; does your child need an extra lesson?