Raising Motivated Kids

By Cheri Fuller

Motivation and enthusiasm for learning is a precious spark within each child that can be nurtured at home by mothers and dads. No matter what children’s abilities are, there are many ways we can help them develop motivation that I share in Raising Motivated Kids, book one of the School Saavy Kids series. Here are a few:

Build a close, loving relationship with your children. The #1 resource parents can provide is a trusting, positive relationship with their kids because that forms the core of their self-worth and their ability to learn. Get on your child’s “turf,” which means what he enjoys and loves doing—whether that’s throwing a baseball in the backyard or playing board games. Time spent together, open communication and behavior limits all help build a healthy parent-child relationship.

Know your child’s learning style. Is your child a Talker, Doer, or Watcher when it comes to learning something? The better you understand your child’s style (a combination of aptitudes, strengths and weaknesses), the more you can help her study and remember information, and you’ll go a long way toward helping her achieve in school and life.

*Make the most of your role model. *Parents’ role modeling is a powerful motivator because the top way kids learn is by imitation. The best thing you can do to keep your kids interested in school is to let them see you being an active learner. The daily example you set in other ways, like being persevering and optimistic about your challenges, will help them develop the determination to keep going on difficult tasks despite frustrations.

Avoid media overload and read aloud as a family. The average American child spends almost 5 ½ hours a day with TV, video games or the Internet/computer activities, three times more than they’re reading. Media overload shortens attention span and stunts language skills. But reading aloud as a family motivates kids because after 3rd grade all school subjects require language and reading skills.

Encourage instead of criticize. Kids who are motivated and do well in the classroom have parents who encourage them by saying words that focus on their efforts and progress, not their deficiencies. Focus on the donut instead of the hole by saying for example, “Great, you got 5 math problems correct more than you did last week,” instead of “Why’d you miss those 18 points on the test?” and you’ll find your child’s efforts will be boosted.

Even with big obstacles, if a child is believed in and supported, if parents make home a supportive environment for learning, are good role models, and build a loving, trusting relationship with their children, they can accomplish amazing things in schooling and life.

Cheri Fuller, a bestselling author and speaker, mother of three married children and “Nandy” to five lively grandkids, shares practical information and a monthly column for mothers on her website, www.cherifuller.com.

(If you found this information helpful, you may want all three of the books in the School Saavy Kids series from which this article was adapted: Raising Motivated Kids; School Starts at Home; and Talkers, Watchers, & Doers ($12.99 retail). Order direct from publisher, 800-366-7788, online, or ask your local bookstore to carry these resources for parents.