How can I encourage my tutees to be more independent?

[olivo]

I am currently a tutor to a very needy year 7 form. I am trying to teach them to be less reliant on me and more independent. How can I motivate them to do this. Rewards? Consequences? They have supportive parents but rely heavily on them too.

Have you read 'Lord of the Flies?'

Being harsh here, but I am a teacher too, you need to stop doing things for them, and letting them fail/get things wrong etc.. Don't be around for them as much, not saying ignore them totally, but don't be as accessible so they can't ask you about everything, tell them once about things, but no reminders. I find a 'you're not a baby now, you're nearly in yr 8 and should know what to do by now', or if they ask you something 'what do you think....?' is the approach you need to take!

independent in what sense ?

They just seem very young. Telling tales, not accepting responsibility when they forget something, saying their folks/ i didn't remind them. I thought they would grow out of it during the year, but no improvement they don't seem to be able to separate serious issues from things to get over and get on.

Can you do sessions with them about planning, such as to diarise ie. what they need each day , what they need to think about more occasionally such as trips, sports matches, timetable for bedroom wall and so on. Also encourage them to remind each other. Are there consequences for forgetting kit etc. dc school is very hot after the first few weeks of Year 7, get marks then lunchtime detentions for persistent problems. dd is a young Year7 and has rarely forgotten anything this year but been forgiven the occasional lapse.

I do check up on planners, consequences or not writing in homework etc.. Should I also be rewarding the ones who do, or just expecting it? I have at least 2 parents who back up their children's lack of independence by asking if the teacher can write it in. Have pointed out that no problem if they can't, btu absolutely not when being lazy. detentions etc given for no kit, equipment....

Good grief , my dc have had to write their own homework diaries since Year 3 ! The more organised one has dyspraxia too . I think some will only learn by making (probably lots of) mistakes. You can't be expected to spoon feed a 12yr old.

Spoon feeding is exactly it. How do you break the cycle though? Tell them they are in charge and allow for some wobble sand hope the majority will

Hmmmph, sent too early. Hope the majority will just get on with it?