If you’re a parent or a guardian for a school going child, you might notice somewhere along the many years of education, a sudden or gradual lack of interest in studies, evident by their performance or the lack of it, in examinations and co-curricular activities.
Motivating children may not be an easy task. However, studies conducted on students and children have helped understand what brings about these changes.
They also present solutions. Based on these solutions, here are a few tips on how to motivate your child or to keep them motivated throughout their academic life:
1-Show interest
Take time out every day to ask them what they learnt at school and help them do their homework. Be there for them and show them that they can come to you with academic problems. If you can’t do their math, help them using internet tutorials!
Many parents may have reservations about helping out their children with their school work because they are not very well versed in the matters of modern subjects.
However, a comprehensive analysis of studies conducted on children in Dubai shows that other than educated parents, a more interactive relationship between parents and children helps them perform better in class as well.
American schools in Dubai now reinforce the importance of parents, teachers and children working together during the early years of education, to help children perform better.
If your children are teenagers, chances are they will probably get more annoyed when you ask them about their homework every day. But every once in a while make it a point to ask them what they’re up to and if they need any help.
2-Reinforce rewards
Although material rewards may go the other way for children, rewarding kids with social gestures;praises, hugs and high fives, makes children feel good. Researchers working on children also suggest dividing work into parts, and rewarding children with treats after the completion of each section.
3-Reminders
For older children, reminding them about their goals and objectives may seem like an ideal move. After they get accepted into colleges, some children do tend to slack off. Periodic reminders about their goals may help them stay focused.
4-Praise their effort
Sometimes children get good grades without really studying other times even with studying a lot, the grade they get may not be high enough. Try praising the effort and not the grades, so that your kids know that it’s the effort that needs focus and not the result.
5-Failure is OK!
In case your children fail to get the grade you wanted or the grade they wanted, be sure that they are more heartbroken than you. Failure is a part of life. Don’t be too harsh on them!
6-Get help
In case you don’t have time to sit with your child and help them with their homework or if you are too busy to sit down and help them, try getting outside help.
Some children may be more comfortable with senior students and some more comfortable with tutors. You need to work with your child to know which one suits them best.
Take away
All parents may not have the time to remain in touch with their children’s academics. However, this is essential when it comes to motivating students to stay focused. Also, parents should focus on encouraging the child's performance rather than appreciating their final results.
Moreover, if parents want their kids to stay motivated at school, they should work with both, their children and the teachers to encourage better school performance, as is a norm in many American schools in Dubai.
The views of both students and teachers can provide additional ways to help the child remain focused on their performance at school. So discuss with both parties how you can help them out!
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