Taylor's story, continued from home page...

Poor Taylor: It took several sessions to convince him that speed was not his friend. I'd make him repeat it over and over again as he corrected his fractions. I supplied plenty of Skittles to keep this pitiful guy going.

One should have a legitimate reason to be in a hurry. "My house is on fire." Yes, hurry. "I'm having a baby and I'm not at the hospital." Hurry it up.

On the other hand, rushing through schoolwork, especially when you're in school, will not advance your cause. And your cause is to learn and get good grades.

You're stuck in school until the last bell rings. You may as well take your time and do a good job with your schoolwork. Better results are the reward... Good grades are a lot more fun than bad grades.

It's a myth that quick answers show the world that you are smart. Correct answers and good grades demonstrate intelligence. No one will ask you how long it took to complete a paper or if you were first to complete a test. The world is interested in the results- in this case, the grades you get.

Students who compromise their schoolwork because they rush through it need to participate in converstations about what I call the speed myth. I tell my students a couple of my favorite stories. For example...

My husband and I have a favorite friend. He is very smart. He moves with slow, calculated grace. He's a good golfer. He contemplates, sometimes at length, before he answers a question. You can trust that his answer is correct. He is a patient and methodical guy who would hurry, maybe, if his house were on fire. He's not a guy who is going to win races, but he sure is a terrific doctor.

If your child's school papers, test results and report card grades are not comensurate with his or her ability, it might be because he or she is in a perpetual hurry. Perhaps a few conversations about the "speed myth" will help. Keep the conversation light and friendly. You're trying to help your child understand and believe that rushing is a mistake. It will take time and patience to help change the habit. Be patient. 

Mary Robinson, M.Ed