Sorry for the late post, friends...I usually get this out on Monday! I'm kind of glad that my schedule didn't allow for my timeliness this week however, because a conversation that I had with my daughter this morning gave me some great content to share with you about Metacognition and how we, as parents and coaches/therapists, can help our kids develop and strengthen these skills even in our everyday conversations with them.
It went a little like this... Me~ "So, I know you weren't all that happy with a couple of grades you received yesterday. Have you thought about how to adjust things today that might help you achieve a better outcome?" M~ "Um...read more carefully?" {notice that she is not quite sure that this is the "right answer."} Me~ "Great. Yes, reading more carefully could help you achieve a better outcome" {restating HER idea and telling why it is a good idea}. "Tell me what it means to you when you say read more carefully." M~ "Um...reading things again?" {again notice that she is not quite sure that this is the "right answer."} Me~ "Yes. Reading carefully CAN be reading things again. That is a good strategy. Reading carefully also means reading with intention-making sure you are "checking" yourself to make sure that you are paying attention and taking it all in." M~ "How can I do that?" {notice that she's now asking questions to learn more because she realizes that I'm NOT nagging her or telling her what to do...} Me~ "One way that I use is to have "stopping points" while I read {maybe a paragraph} and I then try to paraphrase what I just read but in my own words. If I can't do that, or I have NO idea what I just read, then I go back and read it again. {explaining to her HOW to THINK/adjust/monitor = Metacognition}. M~ "Cool. I'm going to try that today." Me~ "Great. I'll check in later to find out how it went." {always check back with them to keep them on track AND to help them adjust their strategy, if needed}. So, there you go...a simple, quick conversation can set you on the way to laying a firm foundation for Metacognition/Executive Function skills with your middle/high schooler. If nothing else, a dialogue such as this allows your child to see that you care, that you value what they say/their ideas and that you will help them but not NAG them. For more information on how to help your child with Metacognition/Executive Functioning and strategies for academic success, sign up for our newsletter! Until next time...keep growing and blooming. Jen
1 Comment
Linda Apple
8/31/2013 09:51:19 am
I would like to subscribe to your newsletter but am having difficulty in doing so.
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