Are you looking for genius tricks for encouraging students to start learning activities? If so, keep reading.

1. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive academic learning activities may cause the learner to hurry and begin the task without following the instructions.

2. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., begin tasks after listening to instructions) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

3. Stand in proximity to the learner when giving instructions.

4. Make the learner ask permission from the teacher to begin.

5. Provide visibility to and from the learner. The teacher and the learner should be able to see each other at all times. Make eye contact possible at all times to ensure that the learner is paying attention.

6. Along with instructions, give an incentive statement (e.g., “On occasions where you begin your work, I will come around to see if you have questions.” etc.).

7. Utilize a timer to help the learner know how much time they have to follow through with instructions.

8. Select a peer or volunteer to help the learner begin a task.

9. Assess the clarity and quality of directions, explanations, and instructions given to the learner.

10. Get the learner to question any directions, explanations, and instructions not grasped.

11. Minimize the number of instructions given at one time (i.e., give the learner each additional step after the conclusion of the prior step).

12. Connect with the parents to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for beginning tasks after receiving instructions at school.

13. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. • Raise your hand. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

14. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., not beginning tasks after receiving instructions) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., listening to instructions, asking for clarification if instructions are not grasped, taking notes, following one step at a time, etc.).

15. Praise the learner for beginning tasks after receiving instructions: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

16. Make sure that the learner is paying attention to the teacher (e.g., making eye contact, hands free of writing learning materials, looking at tasks, etc.) before instructions are given.

17. Consider using assistive technology designed to help students to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder concentrate. Click here to view list of assistive technology apps that we recommend.