If you’ve ever noticed your child seeming lethargic or unmotivated, you’re not alone. As children progress through school, sometimes they become fatigued, struggling to find the “why” behind certain subjects or assignments.
At Huntington, we see many reasons students lose motivation, but here are a few of the most common:
• Because they’re struggling. When a student has a hard time with a subject, it can be hard to keep up the work.
• Because they don’t see the point. If a student doesn’t find a subject interesting or relevant, it’s easy to withdraw or decide that working on homework isn’t worthwhile.
• Because they lack confidence. It happens often: a student starts to struggle, grades suffer, and the student declares, “I’ll never be good at this,” and gives up.
What can you do if you notice your child is struggling with motivation? Here are a few tips:
ENCOURAGE A ROUTINE
For many, sticking to a routine feels good and provides a sense of accomplishment. Make sure your child has a good routine and that you uphold it at home (especially if doing remote learning this year). It makes a difference in keeping the learning on task and giving the day good structure.
TALK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S GOALS
Children who set short- and long-term goals tend to be more motivated, eager learners and more likely to try things because they want to, not because they have to. Setting goals gives your child something to work toward. So, talk with your child about the future — high school…college…this year. What does your child want to accomplish? Talk about how your child can get there.
SET A GOOD EXAMPLE
Your child sees what you do and often emulates it. Give your words meaning by practicing what you preach. Take on a 30-book challenge (read 30 books before the end of 2021), and invite your child to join you. Take that online class. Go for that promotion at work. Show your child that learning and growing are exciting and fun activities and you might find that the inspiration rubs off naturally.
REMIND YOUR CHILD THAT NOT EVERYTHING IS FUN
There will be many times that your child lacks motivation because something simply doesn’t sound enjoyable. That science homework holds no interest, and your child just doesn’t want to do it. Rather than commiserate with your child that science is hard and boring, talk about its value and how your child has improved in the subject over time. Remind him or her that everything in life requires effort, and sometimes the best lessons come from situations that require perseverance and grit.
Last and definitely not least, help your child find success in school, as that’s a big factor in motivation. If your child is struggling, it’s understandably going to be that much harder to maintain motivation. When you notice your child lacking the drive to keep at it in school, a professional may be able to put a plan of action in place to get your child back on track.
The Huntington Learning Center Gulfport is located at 8950 Lorraine Road, Unit E, Gulfport. Contact the center at (228) 206-2353.
