17 Interventions for Kids Who Have Trouble Completing Classroom Tasks

Are you looking for interventions for kids who have trouble completing classroom tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Organize their surroundings to give the student an increased chance for help or assistance on tasks (e.g., peer tutoring, instructions for work sent home, frequent interactions, etc.).

2. With the student, chart those tasks that have been finished within the time given.

3. Get the student to record the time it took them to finish each task to accurately determine how much time is spent on each task.

4. Show one task at a time. As each task is finished, deliver reinforcement along with the presentation of the next task.

5. Get the student to use a timer to finish tasks within a given period.

6. Create challenges in designated tasks to increase interest and motivation (e.g., cooperative learning strategies, etc.).

7. Give an incentive statement along with an instruction (e.g., “On occasions where you finish your classwork, you may go to lunch.”).

8. Create task rules (e.g., listen to instructions, wait until all oral instructions have been given, ask questions about anything not grasped, make sure you have all the appropriate learning materials, and begin the task when you are sure about what you are supposed to do, etc.).

9. Make sure that the student knows the relationship between unacceptable behavior and the consequences that follow (e.g., failure to perform or finish classroom tasks will result in a low grade).

10. Inspect the student’s classwork when they are finished so you can be sure that everything is finished.

11. Praise the student for beginning, working on, and finishing tasks.

12. Take proactive steps to deal with a student’s refusal to perform a task to prevent contagion in the classroom (e.g., refrain from arguing with the student, place the student at a carrel or other quiet space to work, remove the student from the group or classroom, etc.).

13. Let the student have additional time to finish class tasks or homework.

14. Show the student that work not done during class/work time will have to be done during other times (e.g., recess, break time, leisure time, before/after school, lunchtime, etc.).

15. Follow up a less desirable task with a highly desirable task. Make the student finish the first to begin the second.

16. Give the student step-by-step written instructions for finishing class tasks.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

Choose your Reaction!