Here are ways to ensure that any training has joy at its center, so the learner remains motivated and rewarded for his efforts. We will look at just a few subjects:
Language: Teach speaking skills so some even if small communication can take place, long before details of grammar, conjugations, declensions, etc. are understood and mastered.
Instruments: teach songs by tabs or some other beginner means so the student can feel the power of creating music and gain a love for the instrument before focusing on theory, composition, method, technique, sheet music, etc.
Nutrition: immediately employ dietary changes which are calculated to bring great health, then study why they do so. Use the words of wisdom from the prophets to inspire the direction to take, then get into the science. This way you’re gaining physical rewards, not just mental knowledge.
History: stories showing the detail of the personal lives of those involved; overviews of time periods, historical non-fiction narratives (which resemble historic events while adding some color and personality into a story format)
Sport: lots of scrimmage and sparring so the students feel the joy of competition on the field. When drills are needed, make them competitive. “You should always be competing” my brilliant soccer coach told me.
Math:
-the big story problems can just slow you down and confuse you. I suggest making many drills where the student easily identifies where his strengths and weaknesses are, and only after competency in that is shown to introduce story problems. This way we know if the student’s issue lies in mathematics, or reading skills.
-I suggest a focus on the basics of arithmetic and algebra being mastered before moving on to higher topics which confuse when attempting to perform in without the foundational preparations.
-Doing math quickly is a key, so that when the student moves onto the next level of math, he can focus on the new theories rather than getting caught up in putting to practice the sub-parts of the equation which could have been mastered earlier. Students must be able to perform basic addition subtraction multiplication and division in their heads without the aid of a calculator. As a great engineer once told me, “never do math in a calculator which you can do in your head.” This is how he stays sharp and able to solve complex problems.
-The nice thing about math is that it is easy to simplify into bite size and beginner level material. A student can have the rush of joy that comes from understanding a small concept and applying it over and over, proving that he has mastery of that concept.
