Momentum = Success
“The only difference between winning and losing is momentum.”
Have you ever tried to teach your child a new math concept? You get the book out, you go through the lesson and start trying the problems. They seem to understand and they even seem willing to try the work. They try the first problem, but they are doing it incorrectly. You gently correct them. They try another. Again, the way they are attacking the problem is completely wrong. You work through it together. This goes on for a few more problems until your child is in tears and unwilling to work through any other problems. What happened? Why did they give up? You lost momentum!
For every new concept or behavior intervention, do your best to set your child up for immediate success.
In the above example, your child may communicate that they know how to do the problem and express an eagerness to complete their assignment – either because they love math or would like to move on to more stimulating events like lunch. Check for comprehension before they are given the green light to complete the math problems and have them explain each step of the process they will use to solve the equations.
When you ask them to explain EACH step of solving the equation, you may find that they do not fully understand the concept. This is where behavioral momentum is most effective. Now that you have observed EXACTLY where your child is making an error in solving the problem, re-teach her the process of solving the equation, including the step that created an error, before she is expected to begin her work. Use manipulatives, pictures and stories to keep their attention. You want to help your child avoid making a mistake and not wait for her failure before re-teaching a skill.
So how could you have made the introduction of the new math concept more successful? Simply start with something that your child has already mastered. Ideally, it is a pre-requisite concept that relates to the new math problem. Together, do some problems they know well, show them you are proud, have them explain how they feel about their success. Then, when you introduce the new concept, your child’s math momentum is already set in motion.
Next:
· Try extremely easy, mastered tasks before you are going to require your child to do something more difficult. Get the momentum going and their proud energy flowing before you push them for harder tasks.
· Next time you know you are heading into a task that your child will likely resist, try working on momentum beforehand by having them perform some easy (likely fun) tasks with you first. Then, with that momentum and positive mindset, demand the less preferred task. See how it goes!
A few usable examples:
- My child used to refuse to go into dance class. To get the momentum going, we arrived a few minutes early and would do fun, easy dances outside together – Chicken Dance, Hokey Pokey…then together we would start with some kind of mastered dance step and do it together – maybe even being silly. At that point, her class was ready to start and we could move inside. Often, I would begin class with her, telling her I could do the first required task with her. This worked wonders.
- We have a few kiddos in our home who do not want to eat the kind of food I serve. I am always happy to serve a very small portion of a highly preferred food first to get their hunger going. Generally this is bread, noodles or chips. Once that is gone, I have instructed them that they must eat the healthy food before having more “fun” food.
- If your child refuses to get in the car, ask them what toy they would like to bring in the car, if they would like to pick a song, who they think can name the cloud animals fastest once in the car. Get them excited to get into the car. Remember, present these ideas BEFORE the challenging behaviors!
More:
https://www.iloveaba.com/2014/06/behavioral-momentum.html#more