The last four years could be described as an unsettling and challenging time for everyone.
Indeed, remaining optimistic in view of the pandemic and, more recently, the outbreaks of warfare, seems somewhat unrealistic.
The Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023 Report has found that 20.3% of 8 to 16 year olds had a probable mental disorder in 2023.
These findings are alarming and are likely to compound the challenges faced by students lacking confidence in their abilities in Maths and English.
Unfortunately, students can develop a negative mental attitude towards their own abilities which can then lead to poor test and exam results.
How can we help students to be optimistic?
Parents can play a huge role in teaching their children how to think positively and helping them to believe in themselves.
Having extra support outside of the classroom by a empathetic and skilled tutor can also help students to transform their thoughts about their abilities in English and Maths.
According to Martin Seligman in his book, The Power of Optimism, if we can adopt a negative attitude through the process of ‘learned helplessness’, we can also adopt a positive attitude by nurturing ‘learned optimism’.
The real key to success for all students is to nurture a growth mindset or ‘can do’ attitude where they believe they can do better.
I have seen this many times in my role as a Private Tutor – students who feel confident in themselves and their ability to learn always achieve or exceed their expectations in tests or exams.
By inspiring students and building their confidence in their abilities, I have seen students gain improved test scores and increased grades in their final exams.
It is clear that the earlier students begin to receive additional support with their studies, the sooner their confidence begins to grow.
