How To Motivate Your Child To Learn

Some children are just good learners, however, the child’s individual personality plays a vital role to determine his/her willingness to want to learn. However, it’s important to note that any child who has the basic skill set, when given the right motivation can become a good learner.

Remember, just because your child is a good student and a good learner doesn’t mean you limit their learning to the classroom or nowadays to the online classrooms alone. A child’s intellectual, academic and social growth extends outside the primary learning source i.e. the classroom. Every parent needs to understand this and more so to practice the same. There are multiple strategies to help assist motivating your child to learn & with the correct usage of these strategies you will have a child falling in love with learning!

1. The Reading Atmosphere – It should come to you as no surprise that good readers are good learners. It is therefore important to inculcate a reading habit in your child from younger years so that they grow fond of reading. Not only do they become voracious readers, but also their vocabulary skills are enhanced and they learn how to process certain concepts and communicate formally. It’s safe to say reading is an important factor to learn as nearly all subjects require this skill. In the early years, parents need to build a habit of reading to their children frequently and as the child grows older get them to read aloud. It doesn’t have to be a task make it fun by having a family reading time where each member participates in reading at least 20 minutes daily. Create a mini library or a reading atmosphere to get everyone into the mood. It is also important as a parent to note if the child struggles at reading, as this would hinder their learning ability which could be due to a learning disability that may require assistance.

2. Avoid Spoon-feeding- Remember, children don’t love to be constantly pushed. This has a negative impact thus driving a child away from wanting to learn. You may guide your child but allow them to be in control of their own learning experience. They will make mistakes and it’s a normal part of learning. The key to having a good learner is to motivate the child as much as possible. When it comes to decisions such as extracurricular activities at school, for example, allow them to choose.

3. Encouraging Different Learning Styles- There are many different learning styles which include, Auditory, Visual, Verbal, Physical, Logical, Social & Solitary. Remember each child has his/her own learning preferences and styles that they adapt to. A certain child may prefer visual learning while another may use mixed learning styles. As a parent, you need to know there is no right way or wrong way of learning! Assist your child by helping him/her discover their learning styles. It’s most beneficial when you start young by exploring different styles.

4. Focus On Your Child’s Interests- If you want your child to be a good learner it’s best you find out what subjects interest your child the most. Once you have discovered that, as a parent, all you need to do is engage your child in that particular subject using different learning styles.

5. Be A ‘Nudging’ Not A Nagging Parent- Many a time, parents tend to nag children and this can be a huge deterrent for the learning child. Instead, when a child comes and shares with you a fact or something he/she has just learnt, be encouraging and enthusiastic. This way the child will be more eager to learn as he/she sees learning as fun and exciting.

6. Learning Should Be Fun- There are so many educational games and toys that can be used not just to enhance learning skills but also to help develop non-cognitive skills. With the correct use of an educational game or toy, children can be motivated and engaged easily to learn.

7. Don’t Intrude, Rather Get Included- Every parent should be keen and have the basic knowledge of what the child has been learning at school. Many parents make the mistake of asking the child how did he/she perform rather than asking ‘can you teach me what you learnt today?’. It is the learning experience that matters the most. If you make it all about the grades this not only puts pressure on the child it hinders his/her ability to learn and frankly can make the child dislike learning as you put expectations for the child. Having said that every achievement should be acknowledged. Remember to recognize your child’s achievement no matter how small it may be. This positive attitude will reinforce to keeping your child motivated and challenged to not only learn but to do better!

8. Focus On The Positives- Even if your child isn’t doing well academically, as a parent you must focus on his/her strengths as this encourages healthy academic and more importantly emotional development. If you keep reminding a child that he hasn’t been doing well in Maths for example that child will be discouraged and completely lose hope and interest in that particular subject. Don’t discourage your child in fact be reassuring as much as possible.