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Build Awareness of Pacing to Slow Down

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Study Skills & Tools All Ages Strategy

Skills

Processing Speed

Build Awareness of Pacing to Slow Down

If your student works quickly and makes careless mistakes or doesn't think through responses

Teach It!

  1. Objective: Students will become more aware of their pacing, and recognize when they can work quickly and when they should aim to slow down to work more deliberatively.
  2. Teacher Takeaways: Some students equate working quickly with looking smart or getting things out of the way. However, if students work too quickly it can lead to scattered errors or spending more time having to go back and revise. Adjusting pace can be difficult for students with executive function weaknesses, but helping them build awareness and try different strategies can help.

Tips For Adjusting Your Pace

  1. Before beginning an assignment, estimate how much time it should take to complete it thoroughly. If you're not sure, ask your teacher to help. While it's okay to finish a little early, if you estimate 20 minutes and you only spend 5, chances are you worked too quickly and should go back.
  2. Use a visual timer if you find you are working too quickly on specific assignments.
  3. Use a homework schedule to help you organize your time and plan accordingly.
  4. If you tend to speed up work when you get tired. Take regular breaks so you can maintain focus and stamina during longer assignments.
  5. Always try to go back and check your work.
  6. In class, remind yourself to take a pause before raising your hand or answering test questions rather than going with the first answer that pops in your head.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Students who work too quickly, sacrificing accuracy for speed, often do not perform to their full potential. Slowing down to take the needed time can be difficult, especially for students who have executive function weaknesses, but they can improve with deliberate practice and effort. When students practice these strategies with adult support and reflection, they will build up to using them with independence.