Recognizing Academic Learned Helplessness in the Classroom
As an educator, you are hands-on with your students every day. You know how important it is to have a “can do” attitude in order to achieve your goals. But do you know how to recognize the traits of a child that has academic learned helplessness? Failing to believe that they can succeed and achieve great heights academically can foster learned academic helplessness in your students that can spill over to a decline in overall academic performance. Identifying students who may be falling into the cycle of feeling helpless when it comes to what they can achieve in their educational careers is important and is the first step in getting the student the help that they need to turn their situation around.
Traits to Watch For
Children who are experiencing academic learned helplessness will exhibit common traits. Be advised, however, that students who occasionally experience these traits are not necessarily in trouble. Persistent exhibition of the following can indicate a problem:
