7 Tips for Motivating Children to Study

If you're looking for ways to motivate your children to study, you'll find some tricks to help prepare them for tests and exams in this article.
7 Tips for Motivating Children to Study

Last update: 14 April, 2019

When it comes to motivating children to study, there are many different ways you can help. One of the best ways is to take advantage of their innate capacity to want to discover and learn.

At a very young, children tend to imitate the actions of both parents. This prepares their minds to easily absorb knowledge as they continue to grow.

You can take advantage of this innate capability by providing guidance and motivation to study. Teachers note how at certain ages and stages during primary school, children are like sponges. They absorb all the information around them. 

Having motivation will also serve them well as adults. It’s one of the most important qualities in achieving professional success.

Motivating children to study and do well in school from a young age is very important.. This article will give you seven helpful tips.

Tips for motivating children to study

Motivating young children is essential so they do their best at school and learn to actually enjoy the learning process. You’ll want to create an atmosphere in which children can learn to make an effort and become dedicated to their studies.

Motivated children try harder and learn with a positive attitude. This will also give them the capacity to solve problems in multiple ways. There are three general guidelines when it comes to motivating children to study:

Positive reinforcement

One of the attitudes that will most motivate children to study is positive reinforcement. Your approval is one of the best rewards children could receive for their achievements.

Express that you’re pleased with their good grades, for achieving something that turned out to be more complicated than anticipated, and overcoming obstacles in learning… so that your children learn to repeat these achievements and tasks to get your praise.

Children love to please their parents. Recognizing their effort is a great way to motivate children and encourage them to do their best.

Motivating children to study by taking an interest

Talk to your children so you know what they’re learning. Show an interest in their studies and ask questions.

You can also find ways to relate what they’re learning to real-life situations. For example, you can ask them to double-check the bill for something you bought. You could ask them to do other tasks that allow them to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired at school, while keeping in mind their age and grade.

7 Tips for Motivating Children to Study

Encourage your children when they receive a bad grade

If your children fail a test or receive a lower grade than expected, you should encourage them to keep trying. Try to figure out and go over what could have caused the result.

Don’t scold or reprimand them, rather look for solutions. Help them understand their mistakes so they dedicate more time to studying something they find difficult.

Remind them of other obstacles that they’ve already overcome. It’s very good to transmit confidence to children. Promise to help them and show you’re certain that they can improve.

7 tips for motivating children to study

Below you’ll find some simple advice to use when trying to motivate your children to study below:

1. Set the right expectations

Keep in mind that your children are aware of how you see things, and many times, they adjust their own expectations in line with what you think.

Your children should know that you want them to succeed. This will motivate them a lot. If your expectations are low, it’s more likely they won’t achieve the expected results.

To set expectations that are appropriate and in accordance with your children’s abilities, it’s a good idea to talk with them about the areas of study they like most. You should also try to discover the subject they’re best at in order to set higher expectations in these subject areas.

Get to know their interests and aptitudes when necessary, so the expectations can be changed as the children grow, and adjusted to every situation.

2. Set goals that help your children

It’s of utmost importance that you teach your children to establish their own goals. This will help motivate them and encourage them to reach their objectives.

Write the goals down on a piece of paper and hang them in a visible part of the house so that your children notice them every day. Remember that the goals need to be specific and measurable.

3. Motivating children to study by showing them school is important

If you can find a way to show your children your own interest and enthusiasm for education, they’ll also adopt the same attitude.

You can establish a relationship with your children’s teachers, volunteer for school programs, create a space that’s appropriate for doing homework, and know which exams your children have to take.

It’s also good to be aware of the assignments and responsibilities that your children have for each subject.

4. Develop a positive attitude towards school

If your children see your interest in their homework, they’ll also see it the same way. Realize that every child has their own way to study and learn. Help your children discover their learning style and encourage them to use it in the best way possible.

There are three types of students: students who learn auditorily while they listen; students who retain information by reading or analyzing a graph; and kinesiological students who learn through practical exercises.

5. Use language that motivates them

It’s very important that you encourage your children. By doing this you can motive them with much more than just praise. Motivation implies that children self-evaluate themselves in a positive light.

You can encourage them by recognizing their effort, so they keep doing their best and have better results the next time.

7 Tips for Motivating Children to Study

6. Motivate them to learn at home and in the community

You need to get your children to perceive learning as something fun. Motivated children see learning everywhere and they understand that some fun activities are also opportunities to learn.

Visit museums about themes that your children are studying; read a classic work in children’s literature and later watch the movie version, for example.

7. Strengthen your children’s self-esteem

If you promote self-esteem in your children, you’ll see they’ll be more motivated, and this will prepare them to face adversities.

They’ll be capable of resolving any kind of problems because they’ll know how to rely on their strengths. If they make mistakes, they’ll take it as an opportunity to learn.

Motivating children to study will help your children have better academic performance. Moreover, your help and attitude will be of great relevance to their future.

We hope you put the seven suggestions in this article into practice and find them useful.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.