Motivation is a crucial thing. With motivation we can achieve anything in life. While adults can easily overcome lack of motivation, children have great difficulty in getting inspired.
Your kid comes home with constant C’s when you know he’s able to get A’s. Your concerns are understandable; you want to provide your child with a good future, which means higher education and well-paid job.
However, your child is about laziness, irresponsibility and no interest in studying. On the other hand, children usually are motivated by completely other things.
Have you noticed your son’s excited eyes when it comes to electronics or how enthusiastic your daughter is about drawing? The point is that kids should make progress in all the subjects in order to pass their final exams successfully. Take a look at my tips on how you can motivate your child to learn better. They do work!
1. Establish a friendly and open relationship with your child
Parents should be the most influential people for their kids. Unfortunately, many parents use threats, punishment and manipulations in order to gain authority over their children. But these methods will surely lead you to nowhere and only spoil your relationship.
No matter how angry or frustrated you are, you cannot display these emotions. Try to understand that your child is not a good-for-nothing and he doesn’t do it on purpose just in order to make you crazy.
Always strive for an open dialogue with you kid. Ask questions and talk about his subjects.
Trusted conversation means your kid can share his thoughts with you without the fear of being criticized and punished. Children are often curious about things and they can be easily motivated when they understand that something makes sense or is important.
2. Incorporate games into studying
This trick is of ultimate importance for little kids. They get tired much quicker and it’s often difficult for them to stay concentrated on a certain task for more than 10-15 minutes. That’s why you should think up how you can divert your child’s studying.
Try to stock up on bright and catchy study gear. A couple of notebooks with cartoon characters and colorful pens won’t distract your child but provide a good relaxation from time to time.
Practice a dramatic reading with your child. This is the easiest way to get your child involved into the story and make him love literature. Another way to incorporate games into the process of studying is drawing and PowerPoint presentations.
You must have heard that visualization promotes memorizing and concentration. Little kids accept information easier when they see it, thus you should use illustrations as much as possible. Various kinds of learning styles entertain the process of study and reinforce the desire to learn something new.
3. Focus on strong points
It’s difficult to be perfect in everything even for adults, not to mention children. Thus it would be much smarter to focus on your child’s strength and encourage his talents.
Albert Einstein once said bright words about studying, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
If your child is good at math, chances are he will become a first-class specialist in this field. Being a good doctor is not about high grades in literature as well.
On the other hand, you cannot tolerate bad marks in other disciplines. While concentrating on his favorite subjects, your child should also work at other disciplines. Try not to reproach your kid for his failures and low points.
More: 7 Ways to Motivate Your Kids to Go to School
4. Appreciate your child’s achievements
This tip is really disputed since many specialists believe that rewards are a false motivation and chances are the child will work for the sake of the prize only; others claim that material prizes or privileges are important and useful. Anyway, adults don’t go to their jobs because of the mere satisfaction either. We know that we get a paycheck and it’s a good motivation for us.
If you child realizes that studying is important itself it is perfect, but some additional rewards will only help him to do better at school. I would recommend taking a middle ground. Every now and then you can give your child an extra hour of playing computer games, but other times you should praise him with your words or smile or just give the thumbs up.
5. Scrutinize your kid’s personality
Different children require different approaches, that’s why don’t get disappointed if a certain motivational technique worked with your older kid but it fails with your smaller one. Be attentive and watch every detail about your child’s character and temperament.
For instance, introverts and extroverts need absolutely opposite approaches. Extroverted kids will feel comfortable about active games, quick change of activity and noisy siblings nearby, while introverted kids will find it impossible to concentrate unless they are given a quite working place and slow pace.
You should also pay attention to the period when your child is the most energetic and cheerful. Don’t compel you kid to do his homework once he gets home. Most probably the kid needs an hour or two of rest or sleep.
6. Reasonable organization
A good organization of working place and time can motivate a lot as well. Look at the study desk of your child. Is it comfortable? Is your child provided with enough lighting?
If the working place is cluttered up with toys, food, papers and other mess, your kid will never do his homework up to par. It’s important that you remove all the distractions and temptations.
Another important factor that motivates your kid is proper time management. Every day your child should have enough time for doing his homework, reading, outdoor activities and other entertainment.
If your child cannot cope with all the tasks at one go, consider dividing the homework into several parts with little breaks. When it comes to long-term projects make use of a big wall calendar.
Just help you kid to mark what should be done each day. Routine will make your child organized and disciplined.
7. Talk to the teacher
Maintaining a good relationship with your child’s teacher is important as well. Parent-teacher conferences are obligatory but you can also make a private appointment with his teacher to discuss the issues that bother you. You will have an opportunity to look at your child’s works and talk about his behavior, grades, progress and homework.
When kids have no interest in studying, teachers usually ask additional questions about their study habits and interests. All these will help them to find the necessary approach to your child and give him additional help.
Take interest in other students and your child’s friends. Perhaps your child is under untoward influence of some kids and that’s the reason of his low grades.
When you know a lot about your child’s school and class, your child is more likely to address you whenever he has problems. Children always appreciate their parents’ involvement and concern.
More: 5 Valid Reasons to Send Your Child to a Boarding School
8. Proper recreation
Get you kid involved in some activity. Children’s participation in creative, sport or play activities develops new skills and abilities, sense of purpose, discipline and self-esteem.
Physically active kids usually are better motivated, determined and they have good sense of teamwork and positive thinking. Whenever you spend time together, try to spend it in an interesting and uncommon way.
Travel more with your children. Travelling reinforces the spirit of adventure, passion for learning new things and curiosity. If you stay at home with movies, opt for documentaries, children are excited to learn something about the world.
Developmental games are another great way to learn without the feeling of studying. I remember playing catch-up with my father and I was always amazed at how great he was!
9. Get involved in your child’s school life
Why is it so important? When children see that parents are involved in their school life, they are more eager to share their daily experiences.
Reasonable partnership between parents and teachers is very significant for children’s good progress in studies. That’s why consider parent-teacher organizations and associations. Volunteering in the classroom on a weekly basis will also make you closer to your child.
You can contribute to computer, arts and crafts or reading classes along with other parents. Offer your assistance when the school organizes special events.
However, it’s important not to mark out your child, and embrace equal treatment to all the children. By participating in your child’s school life you will enhance the process of studying and the entire community due to your support, encouragement and interaction.
10. Keep calm and optimistic
When a child has poor results in his studies most parents imagine his uncertain future. Just because your child is concerned about playing computer games and spending time with friends doesn’t mean he won’t succeed in life.
Your fears and anxiety are understandable, but if you focus your attention on negative things only, they appear to be in the limelight. Instead, try to reinforce your child’s advantageous features. Perhaps your kid is helpful, kind-hearted or an animal lover.
Give up controlling and retributive strategies of behavior since they are basically disastrous and useless. Try to name five positive features with your child for one negative and you will see that your kid has a lot to be proud of!
Anyway, you cannot look to the future and predict his destiny. That’s why stop nagging and worrying and be sure to love your kid!
Remember that life is not only about schooling and grades. Apart from studying, your child has many other activities to enjoy like spending time with friends, playing, family activities and volunteering.
Instead of struggling over your child’s progress you can help him with socialization and becoming a responsible citizen. Understand and accept your kid.
How do you motivate your children to learn better?
