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Primary education

Any tips on getting a bright 7 year old to read instructions.

9 replies

MrsSham · 24/02/2013 10:49

My dd is very bright, however she rushes ahead of herself and does not follow or read instructions well as she PRE empty and think she knows what she is doing and will inevitably struggle with simple activities like playing games, doing math home work using the computer.

I'm concerned about the effects this has on her learning. She was moved from top maths set to receiving extra help when entering y2 and they told me where she was struggling and these where all areas she is capable of doing if she stops to listen to or read instructions. I told her teacher I felt this was the problem and that all she needs is a reminder to follow what she is being instructed. After a few weeks the teacher agreed this was the case she returned to her usual group with just the necessary prompts.

Recently I have noticed this getting worse, any tips to improve this?

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MrsSham · 24/02/2013 10:49

Preempts to PRE empty

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isithometime · 25/02/2013 08:42

a tip i was given was to do activities at home that she enjoys which have step by step instructions eg cooking, construction, craft, science experiments etc - be there with her and try hard not to take over so she notices her own mistakes where she has skipped instructions

another tip is to get her to read the whole thing through to herself first, then ask her to give you an oral summary, then get her to say each instruction aloud as she works through the project

are you sure there is no underlying educational difficulty? dyslexia can look like this

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MrsSham · 25/02/2013 18:56

Thanks, definetly not dyslexic she reads and spells and writes well beyond her age and class. It is basically because she thinks knows every thing and is always one step ahead of everyone else which was fine in reception and y1 where lots of her learning was perceptive and imaginative if that makes sense now things are more complex especially with maths her of common sense no longer works.

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UniS · 26/02/2013 21:25

craft kits, with instructions. Leave her too it, don't "help", remind her that its all in the instructions and ask what step she is stuck on when she asks for help.

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SomeBear · 26/02/2013 22:48

The only thing that DS will willingly read and follow instructions for is cooking. He is 9 and has made some really impressive pies and cakes, he likes following a recipe as there is a clear outcome that he gets to show off and then eat. Obviously he is supervised with the oven and sharp knives but only from a distance so he feels like it is his own project.

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SomeBear · 26/02/2013 23:04

Sorry - forgot to add, he's also matured a bit recently and has started to realise that it's not just a race to the end in a lesson. He takes a bit more care in what he is doing so his ability matches his attitude.

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MrsSham · 26/02/2013 23:40

She will follow a recipe too, I think you are right part of the problem is probably to finish first, she is pretty hard on her self and she puts so much importance on being top of the class, not in a showy off way but I think she sets her self a bench mark and rushes off ahead, however she often then falls at the first hurdle and beats herself up. I do emphasise the importance of reading thinking and reading again to make sure she is ready to start any homework or similar task.

I think incorporating more activities at home where she needs to follow instructions will be useful.

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sashh · 27/02/2013 06:14

There is an exercise I've come across in secondary where a sheet is given to every student and they are told to read all the instructions before they start.

The instructions can be

Stand up and turn round three times
Bark like a dog
Draw a picture of a boat in the space provided

The last instruction is

Ignore every other instruction, write your name on this paper and hand it to your teacher in return for a chocolate piece of fruit because ofsted are in

Not sure this would work at primary, it might be cruel but could you do something at home where she has to follow all instructions?

Cooking/baking is a good one.

What about a treasure hunt?

Computer programming?

Logic puzzles?

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MrsMushroom · 27/02/2013 07:38

I was advised on here to write little treasure hunt clues for my DD who is similar to yours. Little riddles...she had to work them out to find a treat. She loved it.

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