7 Ways To Motivate Your Child To Do Better in School

School is tough. There is so much to learn, different teachers have different demands, then there’s peer pressure and a whole array of other factors that impact students’ performance. If your kid is struggling in school, that is often a sign that they need help.

Today we’ll show you 7 ways you can motivate your child to do better in school. Some of these tips you’ve probably known already, but some might give you creative ideas on how to get your kids to step up with their studies. 

For kids, school often represents a chore. The studying, the homework, all of these things represent an obligation that brings no tangible rewards. One thing you can do to motivate your kids a little is to introduce that reward. Find something that will reinforce success and show them that hard work does pay off in the end. 

Mind you, we aren’t necessarily talking about bribing your kids with presents. You don’t have to buy them expensive toys or electronics. On the contrary, sometimes, all your kids need is a high five and a few words of praise for a job well done. Take your kids to a movie, or treat them with their favorite sweets. 

The modern world is highly competitive. It teaches kids that being first is often all that matters. Although nurturing a competitive spirit is ultimately a good thing, you also need to teach your kids that failure is not something they should fear. 

If your kids are failing in school, there is a decent chance that they are doing so out of fear of failure. For some children, the idea of failing can be completely paralyzing. Talk to your kids and be there for them when they fail. They need to figure out how to learn from their mistakes and shortcomings — how to turn a loss into a lesson and that lesson into a victory. 

Working with kids takes a nuanced approach. Not everyone has what it takes to work with kids. If that’s you, it’s time to look for outside help. Make sure to look for help locally. For example, if you’re in Colchester and your kid is 11 or older, look for an 11 plus tutor Colchester-based. Outside help can greatly boost your kids’ ability to internalize the subject they’re studying. 

More importantly, a good tutor will boost your children’s self-esteem. In most cases, tutors only need to give kids a small nudge. When kids struggle with something in school, it’s usually not the entire subject that’s the issue but rather a single concept within the curriculum which they need help with. Having a good tutor who has experience working with kids can completely change how your kid internalizes new information. 

Tutors aren’t always available for one reason or another. If that’s the case with you, there is an alternative — try to be the tutor your kids need. In fact, getting involved with your kids’ academics is a great way of keeping them motivated to become better in school. 

The way you go about doing this matters a lot. Kids need to find an ally in you — someone who will back them up and show empathy when they need it the most. They don’t need another teacher, especially a stern one. If your kids are young, you’ll need to arm yourself up with patience. You were a kid once, so you probably remember what it was like trying to learn things that are now so simple to understand. 

Walk your kids through basic concepts with an understanding that they are kids first and foremost. Repeat different concepts as many times as it takes, but do it with purpose. Ask to help them with their homework and try to make a fun activity out of it. Chances are that your kids will respond well. 

One of the most important ideas that will lead to success in school is teaching your children that work comes first. If they ask to hang out with their friends, tell them they can go when they finish homework. Building discipline from a young age is key. If your kids manage to accept this concept while they’re young, they will have a valuable skill for the rest of their lives. 

This next piece of advice ties into the idea of learning from one’s failure. The two concepts are sides of the same coin. Teaching kids that effort matters much more than the outcome is not only good parenting, but it is also setting them up with a healthy mindset that will help them get over bumps during their academic years. 

An effort is something that a person has complete control over. How much work you’re willing to put into something is a very subjective thing. Outcomes aren’t always in our control. Sometimes you can do everything right and still fail. By teaching your children that effort is what really counts, you’ll allow them to get up and dust themselves off after failing despite doing everything right. 

Every person is different. We all have our wants and needs. Most importantly, we all have our capacities. Let your kid find their own pace and explore the limits of their abilities. Don’t force them to do more work than they’re capable of. 

Naturally, that doesn’t mean you should let them slack off, but don’t make them participate in extracurricular activities that they have no interest in. Additionally, let them pace out their homework on their own terms. As long as everything gets done on time, you should interfere. 

Working with kids and trying to motivate them to do better in school will cost you energy, and it will push your buttons. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that your kids are worth it. Everything you do to help them now will shape them up to be better humans tomorrow.