Teaching others to drive is not just about their skills behind the wheel, but also about their mental state while driving. Being a good driving instructor involves helping students conquer fears and building their confidence in a positive, supportive environment. In this blog, we will explore some of the psychological techniques that excellent instructors adopt.
Recognising Fears and Anxieties
Whilst it’s an exciting experience with Bill Plant Driving School, the thought of driving can often be quite scary to some. Feeling overwhelmed by the fear of making mistakes or causing accidents is common and driving anxiety can be difficult to handle. As an instructor, you can recognise these fears and reassure your students.
Encourage students to share their feelings and trust your teaching methods by creating a supportive environment.
Building Confidence Behind the Wheel
Confidence plays a significant role in driving, and your responsibility to build a student’s self-belief is essential. Every student is unique. Some may be confident in their skills, but this may not apply to all students.
Start with easy tasks for students, then make them harder as they gain confidence. This helps them succeed early on and build their skills over time. But also, be equally prepared to take a step backwards if a student is becoming overwhelmed.
Learn to celebrate each milestone, regardless of size. Also, remember to maintain a positive tone of voice throughout your lessons and provide constant reassurance when necessary.
Empathy and Patience
Having a strong understanding of the emotional state of students requires a degree of empathy and patience. As mentioned before, each student has their own preferred learning style and pace; it is not a one size fits all. Some students may struggle with confidence and require more reassurance and time to practice certain aspects of driving.
Having patience in moments of self-doubt and frustration helps to build their skills as well as assuring them that they’re okay to learn at their own pace. By encouraging students to take their time, they’ll be more likely to calm themselves down and less likely to make a mistake.
Motivating Your Students
Motivation can come and go at multiple stages during a student’s journey to becoming a driver. Understanding your students’ motivations allows you to tailor their experience. This can improve their engagement and increase the chances of them staying long term.
Setting clear goals with your students is an effective method of maintaining motivation.
Handling Setbacks Positively
The learning process almost guarantees setbacks and mistakes. How an instructor handles these moments can play a large part in a student’s attitude towards driving. For some, it can make them more motivated, but it can also be the part when students want to give up.
If you can instil resilience in your students, then it will help them overcome setbacks quicker as well as prepare them for future setbacks.
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
The environment in which learning takes place can significantly affect a student’s ability to absorb and retain information. A calm, supportive, and non-judgmental atmosphere allows students to feel safe in expressing concerns and asking questions. This openness fosters a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
The environment in the car can have a large impact on a student’s ability to absorb and retain information. When students are stressed and overthinking, they may struggle to remember your instructions. If students feel safe and relaxed, they will ask questions and share worries, leading to a better driving experience.
Conclusion
The impact you have as an instructor is resounding. You’re not just teaching someone to drive; you’re helping them to gain independence, confidence, and a sense of achievement. Boost your pass success rate by embracing this role with empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of the psychological journey your students are on.
You might also like to read:
