The first session with a new student is always tough. There are expectations to meet; your new student's, your new student's parents and, of course, your own. You want your new student to feel as comfortable as possible while you try to gauge how you can best help them to succeed. Every student is different and there is no one blueprint on how to work with them. Currently, I have 10 students and they range in age, from 5 to 39 years of age. Every one of them has different needs and it's my job to discover what they are and provide them with the skills they need to succeed. I like to think of it this way: Each student arrives on Day 1, toolbox in hand. Every toolbox comes with some tools already in it, but some are missing. It is my job to help them fill their toolbox and then, using those tools, build new and stronger skills.
My new student is 5 years old and his parents just discovered that he's blind. He has since been given glasses (at half prescription), which improve his eyesight somewhat. Once he's properly adjusted to his new glasses they will be moved up to full prescription. Peter has developed all sorts of coping mechanisms to help deal with his inability to see. He copes so well that you would hardly know that he's blind - but he is. His blindness causes all sorts of problems in school and his coping mechanisms create issues in the classroom. I have a number of things planned... this first class should be interesting.
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