Wellbeing Update 

10 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 they are learning there are crucial to their intellectual and social growth, your child needs your help to open up the world of ideas. Their renewed joy in discovery will transfer to their schoolwork, so you'll boost their academic achievement too!

  1. 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.
  2. Encourage them to express their opinion, talk about their feelings, and make choices. Let them pick out a side dish to go with dinner and select their own extracurricular activities. Ask for their input on family decisions and show that you value it.
  3. Show enthusiasm for your child's interests and encourage them to explore subjects that fascinate them. If he/she's a horse nut, offer him/her stories about riding or challenge him/her to find five facts about horses.
  4. Provide him with play opportunities that support different kinds of learning styles — from listening and visual learning to sorting and sequencing. Supplies that encourage open-ended play will develop your child’s creative expression and problem-solving skills.
  5. Point out the new things you learn with enthusiasm. Discuss the different ways you find new information, whether you're looking for gardening tips on the Internet or taking a night class or online course.
  6. Ask about what they are learning in school, not about his grades or test scores. Have them teach you what they learned in school today — putting the lesson into their own words will help them retain what they have learnt.
  7. Help your child organise their school books, worksheets and assignments so they feel in control of their work. If the task seems too daunting, they'll spend more time worrying than learning. Check in with them regularly to make sure they’re not feeling overloaded.
  8. 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 them to keep learning and challenging themselves.
  9. Focus on strengths, encouraging developing talents. Even if your child didn't ace their math test, they may have written a good poem in English class. In addition to a workbook for math practice, give her a writing journal.
  10. Turn everyday events into learning opportunities. Encourage your child to explore the world around them, asking questions and making connections.