7 Tips to Motivating Your Child to Like School

When your child has to spend 7 hours in a classroom every day, learning new things and doing schoolwork, their love for school can wane. Thankfully, there are ways you can be motivating your child to like school.

7 Tips to Motivating Your Child to Like School:

1. Set goals the child can reach

Your child needs goals to work toward in school, but no so many (or such large ones) they feel overwhelmed and discouraged. It is important that you know your child’s strength and weaknesses in order to set the best goals for her. Staying involved in your child’s school progress will make it easier for both of you to establish goals she can reach.

2. Reward good grades

Report cards and progress reports come home several times throughout the school year. This should always be a big deal! You have to show your interest in your child’s education for them to be motivated to do well. Reward good grades with a small treat or extra TV time a couple times that week. If there are lower grades, discuss the difficulties your child is having with him or his teacher.

3. Praise good behavior too

In elementary school, progress reports usually also discuss your child’s behavior at school. Be sure to recognize any good behavior, and talk about anything your teacher brought to your attention through the report card. If your child is talking excessively or getting out of his seat often, these issues should be addressed, with a motivating factor to get the unwanted behavior resolved.

4. Offer assistance with homework

When your child sees you helping with their schoolwork, and just being involved, they are more likely to be motivated to do a good job. Ask about your child’s homework daily, and let her know she can always ask you for assistance.

5. Get involved with projects

School projects can be very overwhelming for children, especially when they are a huge part of their grade in a certain subject. Get your kids excited by brainstorming ideas with them. Science fair doesn’t have to be boring when you offer to help build a massive volcano! Don’t just give ideas – get in there and get your hands dirty with them!

6. Express the importance of education

It is essential that you instill the importance of (and a love for) learning when the child is just beginning school. Avoid letting your child be absent “just because”. Further their learning by taking them to museums or special events. Take school seriously, and they will too as they grow up.

7. Always encourage your child

Talking down to your children or getting overly upset about their performance is not a good way to motivate them to like school. You want to be an encouraging supporter for them, even when it’s hard. Address the issues that arise, but do so in a manner that lets your child know you are still proud and have faith he will succeed.