Motivating Your Child to Care About School
Remember those days, long before you were a mom or dad, when you were your smaller self and the school year felt like an eternity? Come February, after the holiday candy rush had finally subsided, then set in the long doldrum that school would seemingly go on forever.
Yup, your kids probably feel the same way. We’re sure you know this already, as they probably become a little harder to motivate out of bed, get dressed and out the door each morning. Here are some super boring-busters to help keep your child motivated when it comes to school.
Get visual.
For the elementary school aged child, create a paper chain counting down the days until Spring Break. Having mini visual milestones to get them through the semester will help create anticipation and an eagerness for each day.
Be involved.
Show an interest in your child’s school work and what they are learning and working on. Take time each day to talk about how school went, what they loved, what they didn’t and what they are looking forward to the next school day. Don’t ask too many questions; just let your child take the lead and listen.
Reward them.
When your little one is suffering from a case of school-itis, often a goal or reward will help. Hang a calendar that is only theirs. Have them place a sticker for every day they go to school. As the months go by they will love seeing the calendar fill up. Put a photo of a fun outing or prize on the last day of school and deliver it when school ends.
Congratulate them on a job well done. They did it!
