- Problem: Your child doesn’t care about working towards getting good grades.
Before you begin do the following:
Observe your child. Be as specific as possible when naming the problem.
Take notes. Write down the problem. List everything that you try and the results of your effort.
- Desired Outcome:
- Your child will understand the importance of working hard to learn. Talk with your child and your family about the desired outcome. Make your desired outcome specific for your child. Write down the goal / desired outcome. Post the outcome where it can be easily seen.
Remember: If you don’t think ahead, your family won’t move forward.
- Possible Actions:
Read the possible actions below. First, decide which ones would be most effective for use with your child. Focus on the outcome behavior.
* Focus on learning. Let your child know that grades are like tools that help us know where your child is doing well and where your child could improve. If your child is falling behind, it’s important to talk to your child’s teacher. Ask your child’s teacher for specific things that you can do to help your child at home.
* If your child has received failing grades, let your child know that we know that everyone fails sometime.
What else can you do?
* Plan a time to talk to your child with no distractions. Sit down together and start your conversation with something positive. Talk with your child about your child’s grades or report card grades. Point out good grades that your child has received. Point out positive comments that your child’s teacher has made about your child. Make your desired outcome specific for your child. What do you expect? Tell your child what you expect then help your child develop a goal.
Next, Try these Steps To Help Your Child With Future Problems:
*Write down the goal / desired outcome. Post the outcome where it can be easily seen. Provide your child with positive reinforcement for effort they are putting forth.
*Your child may have complaints about studying. Listen to the complaints and help him/her develop a plan to solve the problems. End your discussion on a positive note. Let your child know that you are there to help your child with any problems that come along.
*Find other resources, such as your child’s teacher or others at your child’s school. If you feel you can’t help your child with certain subjects, seek outside help.
Continue to develop a close relationship with your child by doing the following:
*Plan a few minutes each day to check your child’s progress.
*Provide your child with a good homework/study work space.
*Show your interest in your child’s homework. Ask questions about the assignments.
Sometimes just showing your interest in your child’s work and grades can make a difference.
*Have realistic expectations for your children. Having too high expectations can put undo expectations on your child.
*Learn how to help your child get better grades by making homework a positive experience.
*You can create a homework chart for your child to keep track of how many days your
child completes homework. When your child completes his/her homework add a
sticker in the block or just let your child color in the block for the day.
* Review tests together. Study with your child before he/she takes the test and then
review the test when your child brings it home from school.
* Conclude with a follow-up along the way: Periodically review and reflect on your child’s progress.
What is working? What is not working? Adjust your actions accordingly to meet the
needs of your child. It’s important to recognize the attainment of a successful goal
completed, however you will notice small achievements along the way. Recognize
these smaller successes. It will encourage your child to keep trying and let your child
know that he/she is on the right path. It will also motivate your child and make
him/her more receptive when new goals are introduced.
*A quick 8 step overview of positive actions to help your child at home with school work:
- Talk to Your Child. …
- Focus on the Positive. …
- Review Homework and Tests Together. …
- Monitor Screen Time. …
- Help Establish Good Study Habits. …
- Make Learning Fun and Applicable. …
- Establish a Healthy Reward System. …
- Get Help.
- Follow Up: What to do after you try your selected actions: If your actions were successful, keep using them. However, continue to monitor your child. You can use these actions as preventative measures if your child has a set back.
If your child is unsuccessful, seek help from school your family doctor etc. Take your notes with you. Let those helping you know what you have tried and the results of your efforts. This record can go a long way to getting your child the help that he/she deserves
For additional information about motivation problems and solutions, go here.