LearningRX

Tips to boost your child’s motivation for learning

There are a lot of reasons kids struggle with motivation when it comes to school but rarely do they have to do with laziness! Kids that are bored in class, have learning struggles, or just feel uncomfortable participating in class can all face unique challenges when it comes to staying focused, active and inspired.

Don’t assume all the responsibility to motivate your student rests on the teacher. In addition to the fact that some factors are out of the teacher’s control, job description, or area of expertise, the teacher-student ratio rarely provides an opportunity for teachers to give individual students all of their attention.

Instead, use the following 10 strategies to help boost your child’s motivation for learning:

1. Encourage your child to ask questions when they don’t understand something being taught or assigned. It’s hard to start a project or homework assignment if a child doesn’t fully know what’s expected of them.

2. Give frequent praise when they make a strong effort, even if they don’t succeed.

3. Model an joy of learning! Designate a technology-free time to read a book, sign up for a cooking class, or talk about your favorite class from when you were a student. Enthusiasm for learning is contagious and kids learn from watching the adults in their life.

4. Set small but attainable goals. It’s hard to feel motivated when you’re facing down a blank screen with a 5-page paper due the next day. Break up larger projects and papers into smaller goals (e.g., spend one hour researching the topic, create an outline, write the introductory paragraph) to help kids feel like they’re making progress.

5. Encourage self-reflection. Encourage your student to evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses rather than just hearing them from a teacher.

6. Offer rewards! You don’t need to buy your child an ice cream cone every time they finish a task. But rewarding effort (rather than success) can be a great motivator to reach milestones (e.g., finishing reading a book) and boost confidence.

7. Pair your student up with other kids. Social interaction can help kids stay motivated and on-task.

Worried your student’s lack of motivation is rooted in a learning struggle? Find out how LearningRx personal brain training might be able to help! Visit www.LearningRx.com to learn more about our programs.

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