Stamina Building Block Three: Confidence

Confidence is that magical moment when “I think I can” turns into “I know I can”. When it comes to reading stamina it’s the result of being prepared (Building Block #1) and increasing our ability to focus (Building Block #2). Most importantly it’s the result of practice, determination and embracing challenges. Let’s look at a few ways to empower the reader and encourage them to tackle adversity. 

Recognize the challenge

It’s not always easy building reading stamina. Alongside success, there will be struggles too and we can make these struggles feel more manageable. While getting ready for your study session, take a second to review the goals you set with your reader. How are they feeling about them? What’s working? what isn’t? And how does it feel when they are getting tired or running low on stamina?

Give good feedback

Take into account what you heard when you asked them how they were feeling, acknowledge any challenges they described and provide feedback that helps them come up with their own plan for improving. This helps readers see their growth and make their own adjustments.

Sticking to it

Confidence isn’t just about the end results. It’s about the process of overcoming a challenge and knowing you can do it again next time. Challenges aren’t bad. They are opportunities to learn more about ourselves and build confidence.

When you’re discussing challenges, talk about what tactics and approaches worked best for your reader so they can apply them again next time.

Building in breaks

While we aim to increase stamina over longer periods of reading and focus, sooner or later the reader is going to need a break. Different learners need different types of breaks and with some careful guidance we make sure they help readers recharge. 

Start by asking your reader how they want to relax before getting back to reading. Here are a few suggestions depending on the type of learner you’re reading with. 

Kinaesthetic learners are easy to recognize, they are all about activity and movement. Take a break by going for a quick walk, run, roll, tumble or jump! The trick here is to use up any pent up energy before sitting back down to focus. 

Visual learners will want a different type of break. This can mean looking at something else, or maybe nothing at all for a few minutes. Try finding a new spot to read in to change things up visually. If you’re playing Dreamscape this is a good time to spend some resources on your Dwell. If you’re using a book, try looking at something with more images, pictures or illustrations. 

Auditory learners prefer, you guessed it, listening. Try putting on a favorite song or taking a few moments to be silent to recharge. This is also a good chance for you to take the reins and read aloud for a while. 

Ultimately, what’s most important is that you discuss and identify the best type of break for your reader.

Now that we understand how to recognize our limits and how to recharge when we reach them, we’ve got all the tools we need to keep building our stamina independently. 

Thanks for joining as and happy reading!