Motivating Your Child To Excel In School
What motivates a son or daughter to do well in school
? Kids have so many different personalities, each trying to be like their friends and yet different at the same time. And when it comes to getting ready for school, whether for the first time or the umpteenth time, how can parents instill the value of education in the minds of their children?
It is my opinion that this needs to be instilled before a child enters school. I think the answer lies with the parents making learning fun. By starting out when the child is a toddler by reading books, and teaching them their colors and numbers. Clapping our hands, giving them praise, hugs, and kisses when they catch on are the greatest reward for learning when young. It's a fun and joyful time. Having fun early on in learning helps them associate learning with fun.
Of course it is easier to have fun learning as toddlers. As they enter grade school it gets a bit tougher. There is the daily schedule, other kids that might be doing better academically, or socially that make school more of a chore or challenge. Maybe they find school to be boring. No matter the reason, unmotivated children will find it more difficult to want to do well in school. The key word is "want" to do well. As a parent it is our responsibility to find creative ways to help them want to do well. That isn't always very easy either.
Communicating expectations clearly and with love goes a long way. You cannot expect your child to know what you expect or how you feel unless you make them aware that doing well in school is important. It's important to be clear with your child about your expectations. And those expectations need to match up with your child's ability.
I cannot stress enough how important this groundwork is to establish at an early age. By establishing priorities around doing your best, and showing them how proud you are of them, they in turn will want to please you. Pleasing parents is a quality most young children possess. It is vital to start when they are young so you can harness this power. If you wait until they are teenagers when grades really count, the challenge will be far greater especially if they have been unmotivated up till now. This is because most teenagers are more interested in pleasing their friends than their parents.
Set up good study habits right off. Again, if you start out from the beginning with no TV or play until homework is done; the routine will already be in place as they get older. All families have a different schedule and will need to adjust homework according to what works best for them.
The main point to remember is by establishing a routine that becomes habit you will ensure the best chance that your expectations will be met. We all know most kids will try anything to get out of doing homework. You need to stand firm that homework comes before their fun activities. The fun activity whatever it may be is a reward for doing what is expected.
Be interested in their homework. Ask daily to see their homework. Look it over before they begin so you know what it is they are studying, and look it over after it is completed. Help them when they can't figure it out making sure you aren't the one doing the work. Explain to them in a positive way how to do it. By being interested in what they are doing, you are demonstrating your love and care in their success; thereby encouraging them to want to do better.
When they do well in school, be sure to show your appreciation. If it's a drawing, spelling or math test they bring home with pride make a big deal and put in on the refrigerator or in a prominent place for all to see.
Set up a reward system for report cards. It could be a certain amount of money for pre stablished goals. For some kids this could be A's for others it might be C's. You want the goals to be attainable according to their ability. If they are in a school using a different grading system reward them accordingly. If you show you care about their grades they will care too. Again praise your child for their effort, give hugs and kisses. Kids really respond to love.
When they don't do so well or are struggling with a subject or problem go over it with them, show them what they missed. No child is good at everything. School is the place to learn of our strengths and weaknesses. It is good for kids to learn to own up to their mistakes and learn to take constructive criticism. Learning from their mistakes teaches them that ultimately they have the control to fix it. Too many times, parents don't want to take the chance of upsetting their child by pointing out they made a mistake. They want to gloss over it; this teaches them their happiness is more important than doing what is right.
Again, I think the earlier you begin encouraging your child to learn and by keeping a positive attitude toward school your child will adopt that same attitude. Kids are naturally inquisitive and want to learn, it's your job to tap into their curiosity and motivate them to excellence.
by: Donna Randol
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