Confidence is Critical to a Childs Success in School

Understanding what causes a lack in confidence is key to performance both in the classroom and beyond

By: Linda Bidarian
Sylvan Learning Center

For many children who are struggling in school, the problem may be self-evident -- they may have poor study skills, theyre not strong in math, or they dont spend enough time on their homework. In each of these examples, the problem could be solved with a more diligent and structured approach to schoolwork. For other children however, it may not be clear what is causing their grades to spiral downward. At the same time, they may withdraw from conversations about school and other aspects of life. What causes this? It could be a childs lack of confidence in his own learning ability.

Poor performance in school can drag down grades, but ongoing trouble can undermine a child's whole academic experience and their sense of self-esteem. Lack of confidence can lead to many problems -- failure to participate in classroom discussions, failing grades and unwillingness to talk to teachers or parents are just some examples.

Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of supplemental education services to students of all ages and skill levels, offers study skills training as well as specific subject tutoring for students whose lack of self-confidence begins to affect their learning ability. By improving studying and test taking skills, it not only benefits a child in all his or her subjects, it builds confidence as well.

Jacob Brown, now a fifth grader at Tampa Palms Elementary in North Tampa, had a slow start in Hawaii where his family then lived. Teachers attributed low self-esteem with a lack of early academic success. Jacob also continued to score poorly on standardized tests and was held back in 2nd grade.

After relocating to Florida, Jacob was home schooled and then enrolled in private school. After enrolling in the public school system, Jacobs family learned of Sylvan Learning Center and decided to enroll in Sylvans Academic Reading program. At this point, Jacobs mother and grandmother had just about given up on his academic success.

Jacobs first visit to Sylvan Learning Center of North Tampa/Temple Terrace involved his Initial Diagnostic Assessment (IDA) which revealed he was reading on a 3rd grade level. After assessment, Sylvan recommended an intensive program focusing on improving Jacobs reading, vocabulary and comprehension skills.

After enrolling at Sylvan and following 36 hours of intensive instruction, Jacobs reading skills have jumped from level 3 to level 10...in less than 2 months time. This jump indicates a tripling in Jacobs vocabulary, comprehension and overall reading ability. Whether or not Jacob had the skills to improve this much so quickly prior to enrolling at Sylvan, we like this level of improvement", said Jeff Lamm Sylvans Managing Director. Jacobs mother and grandmother are ecstatic and point to vast improvements in Jacobs self-esteem and confidence. This is the reason we are in this line of work", Lamm also stated.

Sylvan Learning Center bases its instructional services on the 'mastery learning' concept. It starts with a Skills Assessment , which identifies the childs unique set of opportunities. Sylvans teachers then start to build those skills by reinforcing the childs existing skills and building on them until the new skills have been learned and mastered. Sylvan also builds confidence in students by offering rewards for performance and attitude. As a result, the childs level of self-esteem begins to grow, which helps build confidence in learning. Sometimes it may be necessary to go back years in the curriculum to get at the root of a problem, but the reward is seeing a child begin to understand what theyre learning and their confidence begin to soar.

Linda Bidarian is the Director of Education at the North Tampa/Temple Terrace Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of supplemental education services to students of all ages and skill levels. With more than 20 years of experience and over 900 centers located throughout North America, Sylvan Learning Center is the largest organization of its kind in the industry. Contact Linda at (813) 987-9760, via email at sylvantt@tampabay.rr.com or for more information visit www.educate.com/info.

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