Are you looking for ways to encourage students to attempt new tasks? If so, keep reading.
1. Minimize emphasis on competition (e.g., academic or social). Fear of failure may cause the student to refuse to attempt new tasks or tasks.
2. Give the student self-checking learning materials so they may check work privately, thus reducing the fear of public failure.
3. Get the student to attempt the new task in a private space (e.g., carrel, “office,” quiet study area, etc.).
4. Get the student to practice a new skill (e.g., jumping rope, dribbling a basketball, etc.) alone or with a peer or the teacher before the entire group attempts the learning experience.
5. Give the student the chance to finish the task in an assortment of ways (e.g., on a recording, with a calculator, orally, etc.).
6. Let the student perform a new task in an assortment of places in the school building (e.g., resource room, library, learning center, etc.).
7. Give the student a sample of the task that has been partially finished by a peer or teacher (e.g., book report, project, etc.).
8. Get the student to keep a record (e.g., chart or graph) of their performance in trying new assignments/tasks.
9. Give the student the option of performing the task at another time (e.g., earlier in the day, later, on another day, etc.).
10. Make sure that the student has all the learning materials needed to finish the task.
11. Get the student to rephrase to the teacher what should be done to finish the task.
12. Tell the student that work not done during work time will have to be made up at other times (e.g., at break time, before school, after school, during lunchtime, etc.).
13. Teach the student instruction-following skills: (a) listen carefully, (b) ask questions, (c) use environmental signals, (d) rely on examples given, and (e) wait until instructions are given before beginning.
14. Give the student optional courses of action to prevent total refusal to obey teacher instructions.
15. Let the student perform alternative versions of a new task. As the student shows success, slowly present more components of the regular tasks until they can be performed successfully.
16. Get the student to teach a concept they have learned to another student.
17. Give practice for new tasks using an app that gives the student instant feedback.
18. Make sure the student has mastery of ideas at each level before introducing a new skill level.
19. Get the student to time learning activities to monitor their own behavior and accept time limits.
20. Connect clearly to the student when it is time to begin.
