Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 15 Ways To Motivate Your Child To Learn

Greetings,

     Motivation is the wind in the sails that carries your child
along in his learning.  With motivation, he will learn, understand,
and retain more.  He will also do it willingly, easily, and quickly
to boot!
     Wow! What home educator wouldn't want to develop and
harness that potential?
     In this issue we offer practical ways to motivate your child
to learn.
     May the Lord bless your family for His glory!

Cordially,
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian Welch
The Teaching Home is a 24-year-old, home-school family business.

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15 Ways To Motivate Your Child To Learn
by Cindy Short and Sue Welch, editors

     As noted above, with motivation, your child will learn, understand,
and retain more.  He will also do it willingly, easily, and quickly
to boot!
     A student who has very little motivation will give his teacher
very little cooperation and will learn very little.
     In other words, "we can do this the hard way or the easy way."
     We hope this is motivation for you to learn how to motivate your
children!
     Here, then, are some strategies for motivating your children
to learn, to give their best performance, and to achieve their potential.

1.  Appeal to Spiritual Motives
     The purest motivation your children can have for learning is to
prepare themselves for serving the Lord and others throughout life.
     This kind of motivation is possible only after our children
have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, to place saving faith in
Him, to love Him with all their hearts, and to yield their lives to Him.
     Children who desire to obey the Lord by obeying their parents
will be motivated to respond to their parents' instruction.

     "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
     Hear, my son, your father's instruction
          And do not forsake your mother's teaching."
     Proverbs 1:7-8

     Likewise, our highest motive as Christian home educators is
to bring up children who have that kind of motivation and relationship
with the Lord.
     This motivation should be constantly before us and our
children.  One way to achieve this is through our family mission
statement and stated educational goals.  See our newsletters on
these topics.
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_80.cfm
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_81.cfm

     Our last newsletter suggested ways to make the Lord the
center of your home school.
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_92.cfm

     Knowing what you are aiming for helps you to hit the mark.
Therefore, goals that are specific, measurable, and obtainable can
provide motivation for your children.

The Big Picture
     At the beginning of each school year and each course, take
time to discuss with your child the objectives of the course and
how it fits into the big picture of his education and his life.

A Road Map
     Give your child an overview or outline (called a syllabus)
of each class.  This should provide a clear picture of where he
is going, how he will be getting there, and how he will know
when he has arrived, as follows:
 *  What he will be learning -- the scope and content.
 *  How he will be learning -- methods, materials, assignments.
 *  When he will finish -- schedule, tests, and deadlines.

Individual Assignments
     Explain exactly what is expected for each assignment or
activity. If your child is uncertain about what to do, he will
not be motivated to do it or do as well as he could.

3.  Reveal the Purpose of the Study
      Your introduction to each course (see above) also needs to
include the reasons for studying that subject.
     Your student might already have a conscious need to learn
this material, but often you must bring your child to an
awareness of his need.
     "Why do I have to learn this stuff?  I'll never use it."
These comments speak to the basic need we have for everything we
do to have a purpose.
     See information and links in our last newsletter in the
section "Include the Lord in All Your Studies,"  which gives some
practical uses and applications unique to Christians for the
different areas of study.
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_92.cfm

Examples
     Take time to explain why the subject matter is important and
worthwhile.
     Following are some of the important reasons to study any
subject with specific examples provided for math.
 *  Everyday applications (e.g., measuring, cooking, woodwork,
     and handling money).
 *  Future life skills that everyone needs (e.g., shopping, taxes,
     comparing payment methods, and budgets).
 *  Future occupations (e.g., science, electronics, physics,
     medicine, and many others).
 *  To keep options open for a variety of future opportunities.
 *  To have basic information in common with other educated
     people (called cultural literacy) in order to communicate
     knowledgeably and understand references made by others in their
     communication (e.g., in ordinary conversation, books, and news
     broadcasts).
 *  As a testimony for the Lord we need to be well educated.
 *  Some learning (such as algebra) is just good brain exercise
     and develops our logical thinking skills.
     (Motivation for home-school teachers:  Recent discoveries
show that maintaining and exercising such thinking skills can
prevent or delay loss of memory as we age.)

Testimonials
     Ask your friends to explain how a certain subject helps them
in their work.  For example, ask an engineer and his family over
for dinner with the purpose of talking to your children about
how he uses math in his profession, or tell them about a friend who
flunked out of flight school because he did not know his math well
enough.

     Atmosphere can be motivating or unmotivating.
     Where does each of your children study most efficiently?
Does he do his math best at the kitchen table with you or alone
at a desk in his room?  Wherever you choose for a class, provide
the following:
 *  A peaceful and quiet place with no distractions.
 *  An orderly surrounding, (not at a messy table or in a
     cluttered living room).
 *  Comfortable seating and writing space.
 *  A glass of water.
 *  Quiet instrumental background music if not distracting.
     (Baroque music has been shown to help some mental processes.)
 *  Well-organized and easily accessed books and supplies.  (It
     is very unmotivating to have to search for the book before you
     can start studying!)

5.  Enable and Recognize Success
     Success (in even a small area) is a powerful motivation for
continued effort.
     Recognition for accomplishment reinforces the desire to go
on.  And the pure joy of achievement is a reward your children
can learn to appreciate and seek.

Success
     You can help your child succeed if you:
 *  Make sure that the level of teaching challenges your child,
     but is not beyond his ability.
 *  Break learning into small pieces that are clearly defined
     and obtainable.
 *  Be positive in your expectations as you talk to your child
     about his ability to do well in a given subject.
 * Help your child overcome habits of laziness or
     nonproductivity.  See our series on habits and character.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/

Recognition
     Recognize your child's success:
 *  Point out his past successes to build his confidence and
     desire to continue.
 *  Constantly give words of recognition for accomplishments,
     large or small.  It might be simply saying, "Good," at the
     end of each paragraph for a new reader, or "That's right!" for
     the correct answer to a question.
 *  Make his writings into a booklet or family newsletter sent
     to relatives.
 *  Display his projects at a science fair or support group
     function.
 *  Have friends over to hear a presentation or see projects.
 *  Enjoy a special trip or dinner after a certain achievement.
 *  Create a certificate of accomplishment, complete with a seal
     and signatures.

    Use your child's dominant learning preference (visual,
auditory, or kinesthetic) when introducing new concepts or
working on a subject that is difficult or unappealing to him.

Visual
     Memory is often connected to visual images. We can provide
motivation and better learning by attaching images to the
material we teach.  Use:
 *  Drawings, diagrams, pictures, posters, charts, and graphs.
 *  Globes, maps, and timelines.
 *  Bulleted lists, outlines, and material formatted to show
     relationships.
 *  Objects to help students anchor an idea to an image.
 *  Imagination to picture something in your mind.
 *  Videos.

Auditory
     An auditory learner learns best and easiest through his
sense of hearing.  He will find it easier to learn and thus more
motivating if you:
 *  Read aloud about the subject.
 *  Play CDs, tapes, and videos.
 *  Have frequent discussions.

Kinesthetic
     Many children (especially younger students and boys) learn
best when they are physically active.  Hands-on learning, even
for part of the lesson, will help motivate them.
     Try to to include both mental and physical activity by
having your child:
 *  Produce or make a project.
 *  Act out something.
 *  Use manipulative objects to figure out problems or
     demonstrate a concept.
 *  Take a nature walk or field trip.

The Use of Rewards
     Children who do not yet have their own intrinsic motivation
to learn can be helped by extrinsic motivators in the form of
rewards.  Over a brief period of time, the feeling of
accomplishment and recognition become their own rewards for good
work.
     A reward is a tangible recognition of an accomplishment.  It
can (and should) be small and appropriate to the level of your
child.  Rewards can include:
 *  Prizes, or points to earn a larger prize.
 *  Exemptions from extra work.
 * Verbal praise. Even a "Good Job!" stamp or sticker can
     encourage a student to perform at higher levels.

Other Incentives
 *  An attractive new notebook in which your child can write her
     personal spelling list.
 *  Educational materials such as a telescope, nature guide, or
     camera to use in their study or projects.
 *  A special study area and supplies.

Accentuate the Positive
     Reward correct behavior and answers, rather than only
criticizing unwanted behavior or incorrect answers. Your children
will continue or repeat behavior that is rewarded.  Reward for:
 *  Achievement.
 *  Attitude.
 *  Diligence and effort.

Save the Best for Last
    An old incentive is called the "grandmother principle": "If you
do this first, then you can do that thing that you really want to do!"
     For example, "After you finish your spelling list (not her
favorite subject), we will do art (her favorite!)."

Just Do It
     A concept that you need to teach your children is that
everything that is worthwhile is not necessarily always
enjoyable.  Some things take "plain ol' work."  This is an
important life-skill lesson that should not be overshadowed by
our efforts to provide positive incentives and motivations.
     The old-fashioned concept of duty has received bad press,
but it is very legitimate and useful in real life.

Discipline and Correction
     Although we want to provide positive and enjoyable
motivation for our children as much as possible, negative
consequences are sometimes appropriate.
     It is always correct to lovingly require your children to
obey the Lord by obeying you, whether they are motivated
to or not.

     "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
     Ephesians 6:1

     God has directed parents to administer discipline and
correction when needed.  This would primarily be for rebellion,
whether active or passive.

     Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
          He will also delight your soul.
     Proverbs 29:17

     See newsletter #45 on child training and discipline.
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_45.cfm

8.  Get Your Child Involved
     People are more motivated when they make an active
contribution to an effort.  Have your children:
 *  Tell you how class sessions could be made more interesting.
 *  Teach all, or part, of a class to his siblings -- or to you.
 *  Ask thoughtful questions.
 *  Suggest related topics or projects.
 *  Help decide what to do and the best way to do it.
 *  Help you by finding a resource, such as a related book or
     video, or by doing some research.

Offer Choices
     Most of a child's learning needs to be determined by his
parents, but there are some instances where you could offer your
child a choice.  This could be as simple as allowing students to
choose one of several options that you give him for:
 *  A topic for a paper.
 *  Activities or projects.
 *  Writing an extra paper or taking the final exam.

Setting Goals
     Your child will take more personal ownership for his
education as he learns how to set and achieve goals for himself.
He will then embrace your efforts to help him succeed.
     Include your child and his ideas as you draw up or revise
your family mission statement and yearly goals.  See
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_80.cfm
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_81.cfm

     All children have interests of some sort; you might be aware
of some or all of them.  Take time to sit and visit one-on-one
with each child and find out what his interests and aspirations are.
     Show that you care about your child by asking about his
concerns and goals. What would he like to do in the future?
What things does he like?
     If your child has not yet developed any strong or specific
interests of his own, you can help him find some.  (See "Develop
New Interests" below.)

A.  How To Use Your Child's Interests

Create or Use Unit Studies
     You can use your child's interest as the theme of a unit
study that connects all subjects.
     For example, your son likes cars.
 *  History.  Study the history of the automobile's invention and
     its impact on society in the areas of economics, agriculture,
     industry, population, distribution, etc.
 *  Science.  Study the scientific principles behind the engine,
     brakes, transmission, etc.
 *  Reading.  Read literature with car themes.
 *  Math.  Use word problems that deal with distance, rate, and
     time of road trips; spark plug gaps, etc.
 *  Writing.  Write essays, poems, reports, even ads about cars.
 *  Thinking skills.  Compare cars from different makers or dates,
     and compare automobiles with other forms of transportation.

     If your daughter loves horses (or at least the idea of
horses!), do a similar study on horses.

Extend Interests
     Your unit study does not need to stay focused exclusively on
cars to benefit from the motivation of your child's interest; you
should extent your study into related areas.
     For example, broaden your study to include other forms of
transportation used throughout history and around the world.

Use Interests as Lead-ins
     You can use your child's interest in a topic to lead into
another unit study or section of a textbook.  An example would
be using an interest in horses to introduce the study of a culture,
historic period, or a geographic area in which horses were used.
Or use the interest to lead into a study of art, music, and
literature beginning with pieces that include horses.

Other Connections
     Look for a way to connect your child's interest to any
study.
 *  If your daughter likes scrapbooking, have her do some of her
     reports in that style, perhaps providing special papers and
     stamps as incentives.
 *  If your son is interested in computers, let him type and
     format his reports with a word processor and add visual
     elements, charts, and web addresses.

B.  How To Stimulate
     and Develop New Interests
     Hopefully your children's interest in the world around them
will continually grow.  Interests can be developed in many ways:

Provide Information.
     There can be no interest where there is no exposure to a
topic.  You must provide some initial experiences that will bring
your child into contact with new things and ideas you wish them
to study.
     For example, before studying insects in science, find a
video that will pique your children's interest in insects, or ask
to see an insect collection or display created by a friend.

Look at Pictures.
     Buy or borrow from the library, books with large, beautiful
photographs of anything you want to study (e.g., scenery, plants,
animals, or buildings from other places; historical artifacts,
ruins, and shipwrecks).  Just browsing through such books with
no pressure to study can awaken interest.
     Educational, travel, or dramatic videos can also serve to
stimulate interests in the same way.

Learn Something New Yourself.
     When you study calligraphy, calculus, or Calcutta with
enthusiasm, your children can be inspired by your love of
learning and absorb some of your own interest in the subject
or a related subject.

Invest in Educational Materials.
     Invest in books, materials, special tools, etc. that will
make a topic more interesting (e.g., a telescope, chemistry set,
nature guide, or camera).

Ask Questions.
     As you walk, drive, or talk together, look for things to
wonder about.  "What kind of tree is that?"  "Did you see that
bird?"  "How many houses the size of ours could fit in that new
building?"

10.  Provide Variety
     Be creative and include as much variety in your methods and
materials as possible.  Always be on the lookout for new ideas
and ways of doing things.  (Hopefully you will find many in these
newsletters.)
 *  Use lots of examples, illustrations, anecdotes, and stories.
 *  Use humor when appropriate.
 *  Try something new -- a new order of classes, a new book,
     a new place to meet, a new visual aid, etc.

Add Interest
 *  Use related videos to introduce a subject or to lend more
     background or interest.
 *  Take a field trip to see something related to your study.

Use Emotions
     Evoke an emotional response by revealing your own feelings
or by doing something unexpected.
 *  Make something fun, exciting, or happy.
 *  Sometimes it is appropriate to explore sorrow or grief.
     For example, recount a period of history from the point of
view of someone who suffered in it.

11.  Be a Good Example

Your Attitude
     How you feel about the subject of study will be as plain as
day to your children and will either motivate or discourage
them.  You might need to become motivated yourself first, before
you can hope to motivate your children.
     Good teachers usually love the subject they are teaching.
You can become positive, even enthusiastic, about subjects you
don't like to teach if you ask the Lord to help you and work
consciously to change your perspective.
     Energetic teaching is a motivating factor.  Your enthusiasm
will be transmitted to your students, who will be more likely to
become interested.

Your Example
     Let your children see you follow your interest, or need to
know, in researching and learning about something.
     As home educators, we do not need to pretend that we already
know everything that we are teaching our children.  Sometimes the
most interested and motivated person in the class is the teacher
who shows her enjoyment of learning.  This is very good as it
provides an excellent example to the children.

12.  Maintain a Positive Relationship
     If you have a loving relationship with your child (as parent
to child, not "buddy-buddy"), your child will have a desire for
your approval and be motivated to learn in order to please you.
 *  Be careful to notice his positive accomplishments and
     acknowledge them with appropriate commendation (not over-
     inflated praise that is seen as insincere).
 *  Provide constant encouragement.
 *  During a lesson, make positive contact with your child,
     verbally (warm, calm, and kind tone) and nonverbally (eye
     contact, smile, nod, or affectionate touch or pat).

Fathers
     Fathers can be involved by showing their interest.  For
example, they can ask, "What did you learn today?" and then take
time to listen and give words of approval and encouragement.

     Just as our children's yearly exams provide accountability,
and thus motivation, for us as teachers, your child can be
motivated to learn if he knows that he is accountable to someone.

Fathers
      As head of the house, the father can hold his children
accountable for their attitudes, behavior, and studies.  For
example, if a child is not doing his best, Father might ask his
child to write down what he could do to improve his effort.
     Also, a grandparent or friend might take an interest in your
child's progress in a subject that needs work and ask for a
specific report once a week.

14.  Utilize Teamwork

In Your Own Family First
     Children are naturally gregarious.  They like being around
each other, and can learn to work as a team.  You can add
motivation by teaching several of your children in one class as
described in newsletter #91.
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_91.cfm
    Your younger students will be motivated to learn by having
your older children help. And since teaching someone else is the
best way to learn, your students who teach each other will learn
better than if they were learning alone.
     You can take advantage of group dynamics if you:
 *  Design some team assignments.
 *  Have group discussions.
 *  Replace idle chatter with intellectual discussions.
 *  Try brainstorming sessions to come up with solutions to a
     problem and look at the pros and cons of each.
 *  Practice role playing.
 *  Take turns reading aloud.
 *  Include Dad in your group when possible

Other Group Learning Activities
     Your children might be more motivated to study a subject
such as science with another family.  You could meet together
once a week after completing assignments separately throughout
the week.
     Or two families might study the same subject on the same
schedule, compare their progress frequently, and have a report,
presentation, or celebration once a month or quarter.  (This could
also motivate teachers to stay on course!)

     Competition can be extremely motivating for some children
and paralyzing for others; know your child.  Some options are:
 *  Competing against his own, a sibling's, or a friend's best
score and/or time.
     Some educational computer software keeps track of such
     accomplishments.
 *  Preparation and participation in a local or national contest.
     See information on making a contest a learning experience
and a list of more than 100 national contests at
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_51.cfm.

Go to the Lord for Help
     Take your concerns about your children, their motivation,
and your teaching to the Lord in prayer every hour of every day.
He offers you help, guidance, wisdom, and strength, as well as
His very presence with you at all times.  What else do you need?!

     "My soul, wait thou only upon God;
          for my expectation is from Him.
     He only is my rock and my salvation:
          He is my defense;
     I shall not be moved.

     In God is my salvation and my glory:
          the rock of my strength,
          and my refuge, is in God.
     Trust in him at all times; ye people,
          pour out your heart before him:
     God is a refuge for us."
          (Psalms 62:5-8)