Think of All the Things You’ll Learn!: Families and Parent Educators Share Tips for Helping Children Stay Motivated in School (page 2)

Zorayda Velazquez’s six-year-old son is bright, sweet-natured, and curious about the world around him. But he does not always like going to school.

“He says, ‘Why do I have to go?’ I tell him, ‘Because you have to get an education! You get to learn new things!’ He’s happy when he gets there, but it can be a challenge,” says Velazquez, a single mom from Stevinson and case manager for Parent Resource Center.

Most children, at some point, gripe about school and homework. Just about anything, even chores, sounds better than writing a five-page report or memorizing the multiplication table.

For some families, this turns into a daily power struggle, with parents using bribes, threats, and time-outs to get their kids motivated, and kids resisting every inch of the way. Children may start thinking of academics as punishment and parents become increasingly frustrated as their smart, inquisitive kids show less and less interest in school.

The critical thing is sparking—and maintaining—children’s motivation, says Helen Neville, an Oakland parent educator. Parents and parent educators offer tips for helping kids stay motivated in school.

Encourage learning

Velazquez shows her six-year-old son Aziel that learning is fun and satisfying by reminding him about all the skills he’s learned so far, like riding a bike and playing new games. “I tell him, ‘Remember when you couldn’t do this? Now you can! And think of all the things you’ll learn in first grade,’” she says.

At the dollar store, Velazquez buys her son activity books that have word puzzles, number games, and other things that make learning fun. He likes board games, so she uses them to teach addition, subtraction, and multiplication. And she reads to him every day. “It’s hard for me to always find the time,” she says, “but I think it’s important. So far he’s doing great.”

Talk with children about the importance of education, adds Andrea Jones, a project specialist at Healthy African American Families in Los Angeles. “I told my kids all the time, education is the only thing no one can take from you,” says Jones, who has five grown children and two elementary-age grandchildren. “Knowledge is power. That’s how you get ahead.”

Don’t worry about your own skills

Parents should not be discouraged if they have limited education, literacy, or English-language skills, says Neville. “Parents can have their children read to them,” she adds. “It helps both the parents and the children with reading skills, and creates a great connection between the parents and kids.”

“(My mother) doesn’t speak English,” adds Velazquez, “so she can’t help my son (on other assignments), but they do work on numbers.”

Find help if needed

If a child is having problems in school, talk to the teacher, says Neville. If you suspect your child might have a learning disorder, get a diagnosis and treatment plan as soon as possible. The longer these issues drag on, the worse they get, she adds.

Resources

• Motivated Minds: Raising Children to Love Learning, by Deborah Stipek and Kathy Seal
• Motivation for Learning, from the National Education Association, www.nea.org/parents/motivate.html
• School Motivation, from Mama’s Health, www.mamashealth.com/child/motivate.asp
• Fostering Motivation in Kids with Learning and Attention Problems, from Schwab Learning, www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=633