How to Keep Your Child Motivated to Learn
When your child’s receiving their education, they'll be in it for the long haul. As a result, there’ll inevitably be times when your child runs out of energy, inspiration or interest. In this article, we'll provide you with some helpful ways to keep your child motivated to learn.
Provide The Right Environment
Ideally, your child should have a room of their own to devote to their studies. If this isn't possible, designate a specific area in the kitchen or living room where they can do their schoolwork. This area needs to be quiet and free from distractions (e.g. televisions, electronic devices, games consoles and siblings).
During study time, make sure your child has all the supplies they need to do their work. This includes pens, papers, coloring items, erasers, calculators and more. They’ll need a flat surface to work on and a comfortable chair to sit it. You should also think about things like heating, lighting and ventilation.
Cater To Your Child’s Learning Style
Educators have realized that children learn differently from one another. The preferences include visual, verbal, physical, logical, solitary or social. Some children like to read books and write things down, while others want to watch and do. It's therefore important to discover how your child learns best.
Some educational resources are designed to cater to the various learning styles. If you want your child to better understand natural disasters it’s possible to show them a video and then provide them with discussion questions. Specialist websites can also supply you with teacher resources, assessments, online quiz games and DIY activity guides.
Create A Study Plan Together
If your child appears unmotivated, it may be that they're feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks they're facing. They may need to learn how to prioritize things and break down large activities into smaller ones. Each evening, sit down with them and discuss all the things they need to do.
You should also create a long-term study schedule that includes milestones, deadlines, revision seasons and exam dates. This way your child will feel less stressed and more in control of their activities.
Communicate Positively
When you discuss your child's education with them, it shouldn't revolve around conflict, confrontation, impatience, frustration and threats. Set up a reward system where they know what’s expected of them, and what they’ll receive if they achieve it. It could be as simple as screen time or an opportunity to play outside.
Let your child be open about their strengths and weaknesses, and the challenges they're currently facing. Provide an atmosphere of support, compassion and understanding. Let them freely express their opinions and thoughts without fear of rejection, anger or interruption. Acknowledge their hard work and value their ideas. Try to share their passion for their favorite subjects and what excites them.
Let Your Child Lead The Way
If your son or daughter’s struggling with schoolwork, don't sit down and do it for them. Ask open-ended questions and help them discover the solutions themselves. This will encourage a sense of ownership and responsibility for their work. Your goal should merely be to guide and steer them in the right direction.
Let your child lead the conversation when they discuss which after-school activities they want to be involved in, or which career they want to pursue. When your child has various options to choose from in terms of school subjects, let them tell you which ones appeal to them most. If your child has specific abilities and skills, help them identify these - and encourage them to develop them further.
Encourage Your Child To Take Break
If you factor in regular breaks during your child's work schedule, they’ll be more productive long term. If they're getting angry and frustrated with something they’re struggling with, encourage them to take some time out. This way, they’ll return with a refreshed mind.
If your child is using a computer for extended periods of time, let them take a 5-minute break every half hour. Encourage them to look out of the window and refresh their eyes. You should also provide some drinks and snacks, and encourage your child to take brief walks. Physical exercise is a great stressbuster and it helps use up children’s surplus energy. It also helps them sleep better at night if they're physically tired.
Communicate With Their Teacher
Perhaps you can't get to the bottom of your child's lack of motivation. Alternatively, you've tried all you can but still can't resolve the issue. If that's the case, it's worth spending time talking to their teacher.
They can provide a fresh perspective on how your child’s doing and what issues they're currently facing. They’ll also be able to advise you on what areas of study your child needs to be focusing on.
Stay Close During Your Child’s Adolescence
Adolescence can be a really challenging time for both parents and children. Your son or daughter will be experiencing physical changes and feeling brand-new emotions. They'll be wanting to take risks, push boundaries and be recognized as a developing adult. This makes it a good time to encourage new experiences and learning opportunities.
Be empathetic and supportive, and recognize their increasing need to be with other teenagers. The better your dialogue levels are, the fewer issues you’ll experience. Whilst you'll need to keep an eye on them and set boundaries, try to keep the communication lines open.
Make It Fun
Encourage your child to acquire new skills and be involved in exploration and creativity. Try and peak their curiosity and celebrate their successes (even small ones) .
Provide constructive feedback rather than criticism, and supply plenty of resources. These could be computers, laptops, tablets or books. It's also worth researching game-based learning and simulations. There are also fun experiments you can do at home.
These have been some of the key ways you can motivate your child to learn. In return for your support and time, your child may develop a love of learning that endures throughout their lifetime. As a result, their future success may arise as a direct consequence of their education.
