Ways to Motivate Your Child to Learn

If you want your child to be a stellar student, don't limit learning to the walls of his classroom. Although the skills your chld is learning at school are crucial to his/her intellectual and social growth, your child needs your help to open up the world of ideas.

v     Fill your child's world with reading. Take turns reading with your older child, or establish a family reading time when everyone reads her own book. Demonstrate how important reading is to you by filling your home with printed materials: novels, newspapers, even posters and placemats with words on them.

v     Encourage your child to express his/her opinion, talk about his/her feelings, and make choices. Allow your child to pick out a side dish to go with dinner and select an extracurricular activities. Ask for his/her input on family decisions, and show that you value it.

v     Celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Completing a book report calls for a special treat; finishing a book allows your child an hour of video games. You'll offer positive reinforcement that will inspire your child to keep learning and challenging himself.

v     Show enthusiasm for your child's interests and encourage him/her to explore subjects that fascinate her. 

v     Provide play opportunities that support different kinds of learning styles — from listening and visual learning to sorting and sequencing. 

v     Point out the new things you learn with enthusiasm. Discuss the different ways you find new information. 

v     Ask about what he/she is learning in school, not about his/her grades or test scores. Have your child teach you what was learned in school today — putting the lesson into his/her own words will help your child retain what was learned.

v     Help your child organize  school papers and assignments so he/she feels in control of his/her work. 

v     Turn everyday events into learning opportunities. Encourage your child to explore the world around him/her, asking questions and making connections.

v   Focus on strengths, encouraging developing talents.  It is easier, and more pleasant, to do better at something when you know you are doing somethign right!

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