Staying motivated and productive can be challenging for people of all ages, no matter the circumstances. For children, motivation is a key element to developing self-reliance and the ability to handle life’s challenges with confidence and autonomy. Motivation is defined as the force that drives people to perform a task. Basic tasks like brushing teeth or eating breakfast may feel simple until motivation is lacking. It is important for young children to understand what motivates them and tap into their sources of drive and energy before they get into a cycle of procrastination or low-energy behavior, particularly around schoolwork.
If you want your child to perform well in school, it is helpful to keep their learning alive both in and outside the classroom. The more you help open your child to new ideas and skills at home, the more they will put their curiosity to good use at school. Here are a few ways to draw on the energy of the New Year to motivate your child and set them up for success for the remainder of this school year and beyond.
- Make everything a conversation. Is your child vocal about their feelings and opinions? Help them express themselves by asking questions when they display a reaction to something, and always offer detailed answers when they come to you with questions – no matter how basic.
- Give your child the power of choice. Allowing a child to choose their outfits, some of the foods they eat in a day, where they sit on the bus, or what they do for extracurricular activities is a great way to empower them to explore their passions. When a child can see through a project or gain satisfaction from a choice they made, they begin to experience the benefits of acting on their motivation.
- Read as often as possible. Before your child learns to read, find opportunities to look at text together and show them what it looks like when you read. Once your child can read, take turns reading whenever possible. Street signs, nutrition facts on snacks, bulletin boards, and menus are all fair game when you’re out in the world. At home, demonstrate the importance of reading by keeping magazines, newspapers, and books around and set up a time to read quietly together.
- Make space for unstructured playtime. We say it often – children benefit from a routine and a predictable daily rhythm. Don’t overdo it, though. When your child enjoys a bit of playtime, give them opportunities to play freely and to use all of their senses.
- Meet your child’s curiosity with interest. Instead of asking them about a specific assignment or grade they received, ask about what interests them at school.
- Show support for their success. Children love to have a reason to celebrate – so don’t hold back! When your child completes an assignment, learns a new skill, or receives positive feedback from teachers, the time is right to offer a bit of positive reinforcement. Just make sure that the reward feels suitable for the child – don’t offer cake if they’d really prefer an extra hour of video games, for instance.
- Offer to help when you can. Many school-age children struggle to stay organized. Consider helping your child by organizing their school supplies, classwork, and schedule. The more you show that you can help them thrive with some basic structure, the more your child will attempt to recreate workable systems on their own.
At Maryvale, our Early Childhood Education program provides young children with creative, inclusive learning activities that meet the needs of every type of learner. Learn more about how our approach lays the groundwork for happy, motivated children instilled with confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
