No. No. No. Yes!

As educators, parents, or tutors, we’ve all seen that glazed-over look the moment we ask our student to try a new ‘strategy.’ It’s like their brain shuts down. We’re offering a golden ticket, and they’re seeing a chore. So, how do we flip the script? How do we make new approaches to managing and engaging with schoolwork feel less like a slog and more like a secret level unlock?

It’s all about the words we choose. Speak to their needs and wants. Forget the stiff ‘strategy’ and think playful and practical. Instead of lecturing, try a wink and a nudge:

“A hack…” – Sounds like a cool trick! Instant upgrade.
“A shortcut…” – Hello, time-saving magic!
“A time saver…” – Because who has time for extra work?
“An efficiency boost…” – Level up your smarts!
“An optimization tweak…” – Like fine-tuning an already super-powered brain.

You’re seeking terminology that resonates with students and entices them to try a new approach. Will it work every time? Kids are savvy. But when you hit that linguistic bullseye, when you say the thing that resonates, you’ll see the spark and you’ll have the opportunity to affect change.