How a 5th-grade boy who hated kanji changed: A repost

C-kun, a 5th grader, is bright and popular.
He has many friends and is the class mood-maker who always makes those around him laugh.

However, when it comes to studying, it's a different story.
His homework is incomplete. His kanji tests, in particular, are a disaster.
He doesn't listen during class, and it's common for him to ask, 'Wait, what was the question?'

One day, I told three students, including C-kun, who was a regular at failing kanji tests:
'Next time, if you get less than 80 points, you'll stay after school until you get a perfect score.'

The result—everyone failed.
Staying after school was decided.

However, for some reason, the three of them looked happy.
'Staying after school is kind of exciting, isn't it?'
The after-school study session began.

First, I taught them the correct way to study.

・Look closely at the model.
・Write the kanji slowly and carefully.
・Check if your written characters match the model.

In other words, until then, he had just been 'writing them vaguely.'

Thirty minutes later, one student passed. A while later, another one passed.

The last one left was C-kun.

At this point, his expression changed.
'Oh no...'
Children grow from the moment they become serious.

After several attempts at the test.
The result... one mistake.

'It's only one, so can I go home?'

I said with a smile,

'No, you can't. You can't go home until you get a perfect score, right?'

At that moment, C-kun's switch was completely flipped.
He probably thought, 'This teacher is serious.'

He checked his work repeatedly and rewrote them carefully.
And finally—a perfect score!

'You worked hard. That's amazing.'
'It's cool that you saw it through to the end.'

When they make an effort, always praise them.
Always praise the things you want them to continue.

Starting from this day, C-kun changed.

After that, he consistently passed his kanji tests.

■ Summary

There are three points to helping a child change.

1. Teach the correct method
2. Have them do it until they can
3. Praise them thoroughly once they succeed