21 Simple Ways to Support Kids Who Do Not Complete Classroom Tasks

Are you looking for ways to support kids who do not complete classroom tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Let the learner have the option of performing the task at another time (e.g., earlier in the day, later, on another day, or at home).

2. Provide instructions in an assortment of ways to enable the learner’s comprehension (e.g., if the learner fails to understand oral instructions, present them in written form).

3. Reward the learner for concentrating on a task for a specific duration of time (e.g., smile, oral praise, a note acknowledging their effort, etc.).

4. Minimize the amount of information on a page (e.g., less print to read, fewer problems, isolate information that is presented to the learner, etc.) if it is visually distracting for the learner.

5. Minimize emphasis on academic and social competition. Fear of failure may cause the learner to not want to finish tasks during the time given.

6. Praise the learner for the steps of beginning, working on, and finishing each individual task during the time given.

7. Give the learner the chance to perform tasks/learning activities in an assortment of ways.

8. Get the learner to time tasks to monitor their own behavior and accept time limits.

9. Provide consistency in the tasks to be finished within the time given.

10. Stop the learner from becoming overstimulated by a learning experience (e.g., frustrated, angry, excited, etc.).

11. Get the learner to find a peer who has the capacity and ability to finish work tasks. Train the learner to observe that person and try to model the behaviors that let them finish tasks.

12. Give the learner access to pencils, pens, etc., only after instructions have been given.

13. Urge the parents to make positive remarks about school and the importance of finishing classwork.

14. Give the learner a schedule of learning activities so that they know what and how much there is to do in a given period.

15. Give the learner a selection of tasks and require them to select a minimum number from the total (e.g., present the learner with 10 academic tasks from which 6 must be finished that day).

16. Ask the learner why they are not finishing tasks in the time given. The learner may have the most accurate perception as to why they are not finishing the required tasks during the time given.

17. Give the learner more decision-making chances relative to class learning activities and tasks.

18. Give the learner increased chances for help or assistance on academic tasks (e.g., peer tutoring, instructions for work sent home, frequent interactions, etc.).

19. Assess the visual and auditory stimuli in the classroom. Ascertain the number of stimuli the learner can tolerate. Remove the unnecessary stimuli from their surroundings.

20. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., finishing tasks or tasks during the time given) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

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.