<![CDATA[Lose marks through carelessness!]]>Hi all


How do you deal with carelessness of your kids? How to improve their focus and minimise carelessness?

My girl brought back her tests yesterday. I blew my top! She dont know the questions, i am ok. But she loses marks due to her carelessness! Omit a word from the passage when the word is there, assume the questions without reading to the end and count wrongly! :x I was angry (and still am). I have been reminding her must check her work everytime and how important the marks are but she just comes back to square one.

I need help :?:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/21650/lose-marks-through-carelessnessRSS for NodeSat, 18 Apr 2026 22:16:39 GMTTue, 26 Apr 2011 05:24:35 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:20:00 GMT]]>Hi MommyNg,


Thank you for sharing. I'll try this on my DS as well. šŸ™‚

However, mine is more on composition. He tends to get it over and done. Thereafter, I realize lots of mistakes and confusion in the story. Let's see if I could apply the same concept.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/591922https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/591922Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:20:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:09:42 GMT]]>\"It was a typo disaster. I meant it was ā€œtiresome for usā€ to convince the folks. My administrator, in this instance, posted it as ā€œtiresome folksā€. - explained Lily Neo, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, on her remarks on Facebook that says:ā€œSome residents still refuse to meet us. tiresome folks.ā€


This is a practical example for our kids (who aspire to be important people one day) the importance of being careful and why making careless mistakes can cost you more than grades when they grow up.

Start young..

(source: http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/09/lily-neo-it-was-a-typo-disaster/)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/591455https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/591455Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:09:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:32:00 GMT]]>Thank you so much for sharing your methods! I really appreciate the time and effort to write it down. :thankyou:


I will try out your methods and see how it goes with my child. I suspect it is also boredom as she tends to speed through the questions.

I will introduce the rewards scheme and see if it works in her case...her PSLE coming!! :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589740https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589740Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:32:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:17:12 GMT]]>Ok, Iā€™m sharing what had worked for my dd. It may or may not work with yours, but I would think step 1 is the most important step in all cases.


My dd had similar problems such as making simple calculation errors, missing some information from the question (which to us, is very obvious!), copying the wrong numbers/figures, etc. Such careless mistakes are more striking in Math sums, although it does happen in English or Chinese papers too. I have also been through many episodes of scolding, nagging, etc. But it did not work. I tried to ask her to read each word properly, underline keywords, redo sums, but it did not work for long before she lapsed back to her usual careless mistakes. And in primary school maths, such careless mistakes are deadly - because it could easily cost her 20+ marks if she had them done properly instead. So I decided I have to do something different.

First, I called it the Diagnostic Stage. I need to understand what is the real cause behind these careless mistakes. This could vary. It could be motivation - i.e. could not care less. It could be incompetence - did not know how to be careful (sounds weird, but itā€™s true!). It could be eye-sight issues. It could be other conditions such as ADHD (more than 50% of ADHD children suffer from severe-to-very-severe careless mistakes). It could be a combination of the above. If it is due to medical or physical issues (e.g. eye-sight, ADHD), professional help should be sought where appropriate. As for mine, after careful observations and analyses, I deduced it is more of the first 2 factors - motivation and competence issues.

Next, I have to deepen my understanding on the 2 factors, that is, exactly what and to what extent these issues affect her carelessness? This is the Deep Dive Stage. For my dd, I realized she really does not like to do "boring" (to her) math sums, so she tends to rush them through, get it over and done with, and move on to other things she is more interested in doing. In the past, I tended to give her 1-2 pages worth of "worksheets" to do in one sitting. I also need to know what motivates her; what makes her want to perform as you wish (the "carrot"). For the second factor, I also realized that she does not know how to be careful in HER own terms. Yes, although I told her to underline key words, read the questions again, redo the sums, etc., those are MY ways of doing it, and these ways are really BORING. From there, I started to formulate my strategies and interventions.

The third step is Intervention. First, I want to build up her confidence and "addiction" to doing math sums without careless mistakes, and to tackle the issue of boredom. So I started small. I gave her 3 questions, and told her to solve it without any mistakes. Of course, I know these 3 questions are within her ability. Itā€™s not the time to stretch her. And I set up an incentive system at the same time. So if she got all 3 questions right, Iā€™ll give her a star. And so-many stars would earn her a sheet of stickers (she was into fancy stickersā€™ collection). This is goal-setting theory in practice: setting up a specific, and easily-attainable goal to start with. As predicted, she happily completed the 3 questions and got a star. After 2-3 times, I started to increase the number of questions, to 5, to 8. But most importantly, once it start to hit 5 and above, my criteria changed. I told her I will allow her to make 1-2 mistakes out of 5-8 questions. This is reiterate that it is HUMAN to make mistakes. I did not want to over-stress her as it may have negative repercussions. But no more than 1-2 mistakes, or else no stars, no stickers. And when it hit 10 questions and above, I allowed her to make no more than 3 mistakes. I figured that in a normal CA/SA condition, she can still achieve > 90 marks as long as she does not make more than 3 mistakes. And Iā€™m happy if she can achieve > 90. No need to be perfect. It can be really stressful if a child is expected to be perfect. No one is perfect. We just have to learn from our mistakes and move on.

Now, I have to simultaneously deal with the competence issue - the part about framing steps to reduce careless mistakes in terms that she can INTERNALIZE. I emphasized about putting the answer back into the question and let her discover how silly the answer now becomes! Yes, always try to put your answer back into the question, I told her. I have to be creative to make the process a bit more funny. You see, children learn best when they have fun. They remember better when they have something to laugh at. Of course, this tactic of putting answers back to questions does not work for every question. But at least it worked for a good number of them at this stage. And she starts to get the idea.

Redoing the sums can be an effective way to check your answers, but it can also be excruiciatingly boring and tedious. So I did it in two ways. First, I try to find alternative ways for her to redo / check the sum. For example, she prefers to use algebra or number sentences to solve a model question but she does not like to draw models. So I let her use whatever ways she likes to solve the question first. Then encourage her to draw the model to "check" the answer. Second, as she uses her right hand to write, I asked her to pretend her left hand as the Teacher Hand. After her Student Hand (right) finished a question, her Teacher Hand (left) has to check and "catch" the mistakes of the Student Hand. This "game" was quite fun to her. Though I have to say that after a while, the novelty wears off, but you get the point - thinking of ways to make the process more fun.

I am happy to share, because the above steps worked for her so far and hopefully it will continue to work (cross my fingers!). She has improved from 70+ marks to 90+ (topped her class, only one careless mistake). The most important thing I learned is not to cram too many sums for her at one sitting and to make the learning process at least more bearable - otherwise, it would just kill her interest, increase the tendency of her making more mistakes, low confidence, low self-esteem, etcā€¦ a vicious cycle. I want to build a VIRTUOUS cycle. So I emphasized quality over quantity, and consistency over incongruity. But I would say it was not an easy journey. Lots of sleuth work, creativity and patience.

껓갓ē©æēŸ³ļ¼Œ 非äø€ę—„之功 (translate: Rome was not built in a day)

Hope you will be successful in guiding your child!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589720https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589720Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:17:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:19:07 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:
vlim:

[quote=\"wormy\"]
:rotflmao: ... When my dd was younger I brought her to ears specialist also as whenever I called home .. She will ' huh huh ... ' cannot hear what I said in the phone. But ok leh .... Guess is the phone tt is got problem .. :rotflmao: :slapshead:

may be she put the phone on the wrong end .... mouth piece to the ear and ear piece to the mouth ... huh huh ....u so soft leh .....cannot hear, huh ?

[/quote] :rotflmao: ... Then she got her mummy 's sotong genes .. :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589604https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589604Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:19:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:07:55 GMT]]>

vlim:
wormy:

I have attended a Math talk before and the speaker bluntly told me there is no cure for carelessness. Just need to exercise caution. I also know but my DS2 is also like that. Put 2 chinese characters in front of him he can' tell the difference. Eyesight got checked but no issue leh.



:rotflmao: ... When my dd was younger I brought her to ears specialist also as whenever I called home .. She will ' huh huh ... ' cannot hear what I said in the phone. But ok leh .... Guess is the phone tt is got problem .. :rotflmao: :slapshead:

may be she put the phone on the wrong end .... mouth piece to the ear and ear piece to the mouth ... huh huh ....u so soft leh .....cannot hear, huh ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589594https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589594Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:07:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:12:05 GMT]]>

wormy:
I have attended a Math talk before and the speaker bluntly told me there is no cure for carelessness. Just need to exercise caution. I also know but my DS2 is also like that. Put 2 chinese characters in front of him he can' tell the difference. Eyesight got checked but no issue leh.


:rotflmao: ... When my dd was younger I brought her to ears specialist also as whenever I called home .. She will ' huh huh ... ' cannot hear what I said in the phone. But ok leh .... Guess is the phone tt is got problem .. :rotflmao: :slapshead:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589432https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589432Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:12:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:06:06 GMT]]>I have attended a Math talk before and the speaker bluntly told me there is no cure for carelessness. Just need to exercise caution. I also know but my DS2 is also like that. Put 2 chinese characters in front of him he canā€™ tell the difference. Eyesight got checked but no issue leh.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589422https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589422Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:06:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:53:04 GMT]]>My dd also pretty careless when doing maths. Her mistake includes copying the wrong figure from the qns so even the steps are all right the final result is wrong :skeptical: ... . She also quite often has calculation errors. She told me tt most of the time when she double check, she also cannot spot her mistakes. I advise her to redo the sum without looking at her old working.. Emmm but yet to get into her brain.

So the past 1 week holiday I made her do more maths practice paper lo plus enrolling her to a maths tuition centre and hope tt with more practice and coaching from external.. She will improve ... šŸ¤·

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589407https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589407Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:53:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:25:52 GMT]]>Any parent here has any tip?


We have coaxed, nagged, threatened, pleaded to no avail. She just goes "orh" and next minute you know, she committed the same silly mistakes again!

We have asked her to underline, read carefully, check but it seem that it doesnā€™t work. She realised this is her weakness and tries to check her work but canā€™t spot her careless mistakes.

She can see cm and put her in m, she can see dollars sign and miss out on thatā€¦she get correct answer in her workings and put another different answer in the answer columnā€¦

HELP!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589387https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589387Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:25:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Wed, 18 May 2011 02:38:26 GMT]]>I think DDā€™s problem with her carelessness in her work has more or less been addressed. Do not see much carelessness in her work these days. But daily things like misplacing things and forgetting this and that, well still working on it.


Now think I will need to hop over to the thread on how to tackle problems with comprehension, both for English and Chinese. At this point, dunno if she lack the technique or is it just her usual tida apa attitude that is resulting in her giving incomplete answers in most of her compre questions. So shall address technique first.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423984https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423984Wed, 18 May 2011 02:38:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Wed, 18 May 2011 00:02:21 GMT]]>

jenniferlsf:
Hi,


Thank you for the help. Any recommendation of any good tuition for creative writing?

Thank you.
You can check out the \"language\" section of the forum. You can check this out too:
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=16349

Hope this helps šŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423875https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423875Wed, 18 May 2011 00:02:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 17 May 2011 23:59:18 GMT]]>Hi KS_me


You have a pm from me šŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423873https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423873Tue, 17 May 2011 23:59:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 17 May 2011 15:02:58 GMT]]>Hi,


Thank you for the help. Any recommendation of any good tuition for creative writing?

Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423810https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423810Tue, 17 May 2011 15:02:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 17 May 2011 13:53:07 GMT]]>

radiantmum:
It is recommended* that 3-5 yrs olds need btw 11-13 hrs of sleep a day and 6-12 yrs olds need btw 9-11 hrs of sleep a day.


One of the first few reasons for careless mistakes listed by teachers in interviews is lack of sleep.

* National Sleep Foundation of America
Hi Raditnmum, I read about this too somewhere. Infact quite agree with it. Was trying very very hard to make him sleep even at 10pm but he would rather play in the dark instead of sleep!!! :faint: :faint:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423769https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423769Tue, 17 May 2011 13:53:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 17 May 2011 13:48:10 GMT]]>

schweppes:

Teacher said he has short attention span, first 20 qs no issue... subsequence qs he lost attention... don't need to talk about the checking part...

Hmm... not sure about the short attention span part but another possible reason cd be that he is mentally tired. So, as a result of that, sometimes, the child \"switches off\" because there's just too much to handle at that point. And coupled with exam/test stress, the mental fatigue will be heightened.

As the teacher highlighted that he has answered correctly for the first 20 qns, one possible \"strategy\" is to get him to take a short mental break after 20qns. Just 1-2mins. Close eyes, drink water... but must remind him cannot day dream. If he can abide by this, he may feel rejuvenated after that. :xedfingers:
Exam over. True enough, qs after 20... all disaster... ended up with 77 marks :frustrated: disappointed with his marks due to carelessness but I've chose not to scold him for the first time (scolded during P1 and P2) and explained to him that he needs to wake up his idea. In return, he asked me to help him. He said he doesn't understand himself why he did that... (me either!!! :scratchhead: )

Today, I came out with a new schedule. Asked him to look through on \"our strategy\" to tackle SA2 ( :salute: to my kiasu-ness). My plan is to let him understand that he has more to \"correct\" to end his P3. Actually, I really have no idea how to correct his habit other than making him do more ...:sad: :sad: :sad:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423768https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423768Tue, 17 May 2011 13:48:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 17 May 2011 03:03:27 GMT]]>

jenniferlsf:
Hi,


Thank you for the help. Any chance to tell my girl P2 loves study? She keeps on telling me she does not like study. I did not force her much in fact as I concentrate more on my work. Every night, I just do a bit of reading story book. She loves to listen to story book. From here, any idea how to improve her language by reading story book to her? Thank you.
Kids or adults alike inherently does not like study for the sake of study šŸ˜œ It's good that you found her sweet spot that inspires her to learn more. I am not an educator but some suggestions are

1. Pause to get her to fill in the appropriate descriptive word (vocabulary training)
2. Ask her questions (comprehension)
3. Buy books that gives encouragement to explore rather than listen. Younger kids can go for pop-up books and older kids, generally Geronimo series are attractive with all the colourful fonts and pictures.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423495https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423495Tue, 17 May 2011 03:03:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Tue, 17 May 2011 02:57:02 GMT]]>It is recommended* that 3-5 yrs olds need btw 11-13 hrs of sleep a day and 6-12 yrs olds need btw 9-11 hrs of sleep a day.


One of the first few reasons for careless mistakes listed by teachers in interviews is lack of sleep.

* National Sleep Foundation of America

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423491https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423491Tue, 17 May 2011 02:57:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Mon, 16 May 2011 23:23:04 GMT]]>Hi,


Thank you for the help. Any chance to tell my girl P2 loves study? She keeps on telling me she does not like study. I did not force her much in fact as I concentrate more on my work. Every night, I just do a bit of reading story book. She loves to listen to story book. From here, any idea how to improve her language by reading story book to her? Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423434https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423434Mon, 16 May 2011 23:23:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Mon, 16 May 2011 13:35:53 GMT]]>Itā€™s sold in many places - Robinsons, Unity, Watsons, Guardian. Normally Iā€™ll wait for Robinsons 20% sale b4 stocking up. Sometimes the offer pack also comes with another smaller 30 caps bottle.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423337https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423337Mon, 16 May 2011 13:35:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Mon, 16 May 2011 13:26:45 GMT]]>

QuiteKSMum:


Also to share, I've been letting son take this Efamol Efalex Omega 3&6 fish oil capsules for many yrs, mainly hoping it could help in his concentration & brain devt. There's a bk written abt this oil, borrowed fm NLB to read b4 I decided to let him have this brand instead of the many others in the mkt. :celebrate:

May I ask where can I get this Efamol Efalex Omega 3 & 6 fish oil capsules?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423334https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/423334Mon, 16 May 2011 13:26:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Mon, 16 May 2011 04:07:25 GMT]]>Thanks Jennifer & Funz for yr sharing.


My son, now Sec 1, also has attention problems but the condition has improved a lot over these yrs. However, he's still prone to carelessness still; but much more manageable. :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/422917https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/422917Mon, 16 May 2011 04:07:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Mon, 16 May 2011 03:39:02 GMT]]>Children with sensitive airways usually do not sleep well. And when they do not have enough sleep, then naturally, attention span and focus will not be at its optimum. Along with that, during waking hours, if their noses or throats are bothering them, even more difficult to concentrate. If focus and not attitude is the cause of their carelessness, then look for the cause of this lack of focus, could be lack of sleep, could be over stimulation, could be physiological and address that instead.


I am who believe in the benefits of fish oil and manuka honey. Have seen it improve my kidsā€™ health. They compliment the meds that my kids need to take if their allergies flare up but they are not the ā€˜cureā€™ for their allergies.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/422897https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/422897Mon, 16 May 2011 03:39:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lose marks through carelessness! on Mon, 16 May 2011 02:47:22 GMT]]>

QuiteKSMum:
Jennifer:

[quote=\"Yong HL\"]my daughter health is ok.


Good to hear this.

My P4 boy has sensitive airways, hence his attention span is not as good. Now seeing a MaKuang physician. Hopefully he gets better.

Hi Jennifer, mind sharing how TCM helps in attention span? Is it thru tuina?

Have you tried Manuka money for his airways prob? After reading the KSP thread on Manuka honey, I got some for son & his sensitive nose problem seems to be much better.

Just realised you said sensitive airways, is it = sensitive nose problem?

Also to share, I've been letting son take this Efamol Efalex Omega 3&6 fish oil capsules for many yrs, mainly hoping it could help in his concentration & brain devt. There's a bk written abt this oil, borrowed fm NLB to read b4 I decided to let him have this brand instead of the many others in the mkt. :celebrate:[/quote]His sensitive airways is not only the nose, also the windpipe. Everytime when the weather turns cold, he will start coughing as the throat is itchy. No phelgm type unless he eats sth sweet (fruits included) or salty. Very troublesome. We need to eat very carefully.

Recently I started to give him Pi Pai Gao every morning and powdered dong cong chao every night after 2 mths of TCM treatment at Bt Timah Plaza (which did not seem to help much). Now the irritating cough has stopped.

He is also taking fish oil supplements since P2 (at the recommendation of the doc at Child Guidance Clinic) for his short attention span n mild hyperactivity issue. His P2 FT reported improvement in his class behaviour after a few mths of taking the fish oil supplement.

This relationship between sensitive airways and attention span has been told to me by 2 physicians and I also heard abt it over a radio programme. So I think there shld be some truth in it.

Last Sat, I bou my children to see a MaKuang physician (Xu Li Li). Now taking her prescribed medication. Hope to see some improvement in the next few mths.

Sorry for seeming to go off topic. But if we believe our child is capable, just seems unable to retain what was taught & learnt, maybe it is time to look into the health issue.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/422859https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/422859Mon, 16 May 2011 02:47:22 GMT